tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-314227242018-01-15T09:29:34.811-07:00This is...Emily Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01818400926841572377noreply@blogger.comBlogger213125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31422724.post-82965550422148633482012-08-15T10:03:00.003-06:002012-08-15T10:03:58.783-06:00Durango in August<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ySsV6k71DeQ/UCvEhXIThsI/AAAAAAAAB-k/2Eg9aKBRYhs/s1600/panoramic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="140" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ySsV6k71DeQ/UCvEhXIThsI/AAAAAAAAB-k/2Eg9aKBRYhs/s640/panoramic.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from our bedroom balcony</td></tr></tbody></table>Joe, Jeff, Dan and their dad decided it would be fun to get one more summer fun weekend in Durango... so, they arranged to meet up there on Thursday night. Too bad that everyone was flying in from different places (including Joe who was on a work trip) so that left me to drive the trailer with the toys ALL BY MYSELF! Joe had spent a good portion of last weekend teaching me how to drive it and pull it out of the storage unit and he was really sweet about getting me comfortable while pulling the HUGE trailer with our little Pathfinder.<br /><br />Thursday morning, we said goodbye to Grandpoo (who was in town for 24 hrs for business and we loved seeing him!!!) and right after Aaron's lacrosse camp, we loaded up the trailer and headed down towards the activities for the weekend. I must say that I was pretty anxious driving that thing with its BAD brakes through the rain and the mountains... and the WIND! However, we made our way slowly but surely. Despite how I felt, my hands did not have to be surgically removed from gripping the steering wheel and my shoulders were able to relax only a few minutes after our arrival.<br /><br />Everyone converged that night, and Friday morning (bright and early) the fun began. The brothers, Dad, and Aaron went golfing at Glacier Club, while I went jogging in the beautiful mountains. The boys came home after 9 holes and then went out riding. I made Nate go with them. Meanwhile, Michelle and I took Sydney and Charity to the store. By the time we got back, Jeff, Joe, Nate and Aaron were pulling in from their ride - cut short by hail and rain and cold (Grandpa, Trish, and Dan braved the weather and continued riding). We put the shivering boys in the hot tub and moved on to playing games and dinner.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a11U95hNizY/UCvDPTLVX8I/AAAAAAAAB6c/EyZNwIhWzjk/s1600/IMG_20120811_123137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a11U95hNizY/UCvDPTLVX8I/AAAAAAAAB6c/EyZNwIhWzjk/s320/IMG_20120811_123137.jpg" width="320" /></a>Saturday, I had to take my car in to fix the brakes. Joe and I took it into town and on our way home, on the radio, I heard info about the county fair and the demolition derby going on in town! So, when the big boys headed out to their morning 4-wheeling excursion, I took the kids and Michelle joined me with Syd at the fair. Honestly, I have never been to a demolition derby and I must say it was one of the most interesting and entertaining events I have been to for a long time! I laughed so hard! I couldn't fathom why someone would invest time, money and their body in an event like that. It was amazing how these cars would still propel themselves after smashing up their engines and losing tires and getting stuck in the mud!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EnQxpT9_P5Y/UCvDM5dYILI/AAAAAAAAB6U/BLjPNgTKlY0/s1600/IMG_20120811_115016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EnQxpT9_P5Y/UCvDM5dYILI/AAAAAAAAB6U/BLjPNgTKlY0/s320/IMG_20120811_115016.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ixMkqZMahh8/UCvDRzvbgwI/AAAAAAAAB6k/0B0zTwq_oTs/s1600/IMG_20120811_145907.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ixMkqZMahh8/UCvDRzvbgwI/AAAAAAAAB6k/0B0zTwq_oTs/s320/IMG_20120811_145907.jpg" width="240" /></a>After the derby, we took the kids to see the 4-h animals and eat carnival food and then Michelle took Sydney to the store and I took my kids on the carnival rides. They all wanted to go on the crazy upside down ride. Even though Nate was tall enough, the guy was hesitant to let him on at first, so I sent Charity and Aaron to check it out while I took Nate to the "fun house". It was NOT cool enough, so after some begging, I got the carny to let Nate go with Aaron and Charity on the ride. Charity and Nate came off elated and LOVED the crazy ride, but after 2 times in a row on that thing, Aaron came off a bit green. He was miserable! So, we headed home and on the way had to pull over a few times to give him a break and a chance to retch outside the car. We came home and I finished a few books while waiting for the boys to finish their activities. Then Joe, Jeff, Michelle, Dan and I went to Purgatory to play&nbsp;Frisbee&nbsp;golf and eat dinner as adults while grandma and grandpa stayed with the kids.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_VGsTZ6W2ck/UCvDS8su_5I/AAAAAAAAB6s/_6ITjBETSHA/s1600/IMG_20120811_150518.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_VGsTZ6W2ck/UCvDS8su_5I/AAAAAAAAB6s/_6ITjBETSHA/s320/IMG_20120811_150518.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sKovjlrtHGA/UCvDUQJUFKI/AAAAAAAAB60/DWPwnPFueKI/s1600/IMG_20120811_153734.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sKovjlrtHGA/UCvDUQJUFKI/AAAAAAAAB60/DWPwnPFueKI/s320/IMG_20120811_153734.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">stopped at the spring while waiting for Aaron to finish dry heaving on the side of the road...</td></tr></tbody></table>Sunday was more of the same - the boys golfed, went on a ride, played games, I jogged in the rain and read my books. That night, Joe and I took the Jeep and grandma and grandpa took the Raptor searching for a trail we heard that would take us to a waterfall. We had a blast exploring - the road we took was AWESOME! Then, we hiked a couple miles but never found the waterfall. It didn't really matter though because it was a beautiful evening hike!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dbfmxQDabME/UCvDXOzqJ0I/AAAAAAAAB68/J1WpJw_lmcs/s1600/IMG_5183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dbfmxQDabME/UCvDXOzqJ0I/AAAAAAAAB68/J1WpJw_lmcs/s200/IMG_5183.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9KCQkHNahAI/UCvDadbGs9I/AAAAAAAAB7E/TU-m9EllxQQ/s1600/IMG_5185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9KCQkHNahAI/UCvDadbGs9I/AAAAAAAAB7E/TU-m9EllxQQ/s200/IMG_5185.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Bd58FJrYjMg/UCvDlmHlvvI/AAAAAAAAB7k/H03_LPH1vxI/s1600/IMG_5199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Bd58FJrYjMg/UCvDlmHlvvI/AAAAAAAAB7k/H03_LPH1vxI/s320/IMG_5199.JPG" width="320" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YpzcxAskwM8/UCvDeAL5X7I/AAAAAAAAB7Q/zfKAIE8G6ic/s1600/IMG_5187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YpzcxAskwM8/UCvDeAL5X7I/AAAAAAAAB7Q/zfKAIE8G6ic/s320/IMG_5187.JPG" width="320" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mqGdYxhQeMQ/UCvDh1mS_zI/AAAAAAAAB7Y/0fUqyDMNlPI/s1600/IMG_5190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mqGdYxhQeMQ/UCvDh1mS_zI/AAAAAAAAB7Y/0fUqyDMNlPI/s200/IMG_5190.JPG" width="200" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qZRH312BkN8/UCvDohOW6CI/AAAAAAAAB7s/vbcC6Tq3bNQ/s1600/IMG_5202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qZRH312BkN8/UCvDohOW6CI/AAAAAAAAB7s/vbcC6Tq3bNQ/s200/IMG_5202.JPG" width="133" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1ZAs4i34y4o/UCvDrpL1xQI/AAAAAAAAB74/Vilx1hBirOM/s1600/IMG_5205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1ZAs4i34y4o/UCvDrpL1xQI/AAAAAAAAB74/Vilx1hBirOM/s320/IMG_5205.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VI753KD31VU/UCvDuuaOV3I/AAAAAAAAB8A/bwXBJAQwuRA/s1600/IMG_5209.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VI753KD31VU/UCvDuuaOV3I/AAAAAAAAB8A/bwXBJAQwuRA/s320/IMG_5209.JPG" width="320" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1ByFMPX38IU/UCvDxe3k8SI/AAAAAAAAB8M/pi4L0vg3-08/s1600/IMG_5214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1ByFMPX38IU/UCvDxe3k8SI/AAAAAAAAB8M/pi4L0vg3-08/s200/IMG_5214.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2avAP_jg734/UCvDz_Hp5oI/AAAAAAAAB8U/rBuxrUuCNKc/s1600/IMG_5215.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2avAP_jg734/UCvDz_Hp5oI/AAAAAAAAB8U/rBuxrUuCNKc/s320/IMG_5215.JPG" width="320" /></a><br /><br /><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Monday, we woke up and the boys went golfing again, while the women stayed behind cleaning and packing. Then, when they got home, we had time to squeeze in a family ride on lime creek trail. Charity rode with Jeff and Michelle in the Raptor, Joe and I took 4 wheelers, and Dan took Aaron on the side by side. Nate started out on a 4 wheeler but lost interest and wanted to be with the kids in the truck. We hung out for a bit at the "lake" and then finished out the ride in the pelting and freezing rain. After that, everyone loaded up and headed home. It was a fun weekend! Durango is absolutely beautiful! The cabin is amazing! I feel so lucky that I actually enjoy my in-laws! I can't wait to go again!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DkzOY3fuvrA/UCvD9tTtpbI/AAAAAAAAB8s/3ataCpKbs5o/s1600/IMG_5222.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mX6Z-kMXq60/UCvD28IcpgI/AAAAAAAAB8c/zqm3JPbS7U8/s1600/IMG_5218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mX6Z-kMXq60/UCvD28IcpgI/AAAAAAAAB8c/zqm3JPbS7U8/s200/IMG_5218.JPG" width="200" /></a><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DkzOY3fuvrA/UCvD9tTtpbI/AAAAAAAAB8s/3ataCpKbs5o/s320/IMG_5222.JPG" width="320" /></div>&nbsp;<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-74D7hCgV1JM/UCvEAIUkSpI/AAAAAAAAB84/WeYysRZHpjM/s1600/IMG_5223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-74D7hCgV1JM/UCvEAIUkSpI/AAAAAAAAB84/WeYysRZHpjM/s200/IMG_5223.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WasEaRfOHQk/UCvEENVc3BI/AAAAAAAAB9A/svj5KCKMHsc/s1600/IMG_5224.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WasEaRfOHQk/UCvEENVc3BI/AAAAAAAAB9A/svj5KCKMHsc/s320/IMG_5224.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UEtdJWB7vaE/UCvEGccZ6CI/AAAAAAAAB9M/C6nIR0mv2fo/s1600/IMG_5227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wvewIOayIFo/UCvEQHr4ncI/AAAAAAAAB9o/UF3UPlTJ13M/s1600/IMG_5245.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wvewIOayIFo/UCvEQHr4ncI/AAAAAAAAB9o/UF3UPlTJ13M/s320/IMG_5245.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TviwkCEHnok/UCvEJaFUlBI/AAAAAAAAB9U/S2EidBm15NI/s1600/IMG_5229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TviwkCEHnok/UCvEJaFUlBI/AAAAAAAAB9U/S2EidBm15NI/s320/IMG_5229.JPG" width="320" /></a><img border="0" height="133" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UEtdJWB7vaE/UCvEGccZ6CI/AAAAAAAAB9M/C6nIR0mv2fo/s200/IMG_5227.JPG" width="200" /><br /><br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mlnb0GCGD14/UCvETHgPWCI/AAAAAAAAB9w/au3rlawA7u4/s1600/IMG_5248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mlnb0GCGD14/UCvETHgPWCI/AAAAAAAAB9w/au3rlawA7u4/s200/IMG_5248.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">joe always finds the mud.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_SFM3DDJKMo/UCvEMAAk5BI/AAAAAAAAB9g/BXUz9G1-_90/s1600/IMG_5241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_SFM3DDJKMo/UCvEMAAk5BI/AAAAAAAAB9g/BXUz9G1-_90/s320/IMG_5241.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6BoCFAAAJYU/UCvEcOs2gRI/AAAAAAAAB-M/a17K0e6Y6k8/s1600/IMG_5256.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6BoCFAAAJYU/UCvEcOs2gRI/AAAAAAAAB-M/a17K0e6Y6k8/s200/IMG_5256.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3i4AZqCSQrI/UCvEWvorA8I/AAAAAAAAB94/_4fWeIpsiHY/s1600/IMG_5253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3i4AZqCSQrI/UCvEWvorA8I/AAAAAAAAB94/_4fWeIpsiHY/s200/IMG_5253.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2TC1aYpZtzA/UCvEZYeRaoI/AAAAAAAAB-E/xVLuXB9VQ8w/s1600/IMG_5254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2TC1aYpZtzA/UCvEZYeRaoI/AAAAAAAAB-E/xVLuXB9VQ8w/s320/IMG_5254.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-po6vOKE6K_U/UCvEeyDXGvI/AAAAAAAAB-c/GZPVjyeNWCQ/s1600/IMG_5259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-po6vOKE6K_U/UCvEeyDXGvI/AAAAAAAAB-c/GZPVjyeNWCQ/s320/IMG_5259.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Emily Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01818400926841572377noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31422724.post-84129196374842688922011-09-28T12:00:00.000-06:002011-09-28T12:00:43.344-06:00Please put a stop sign HERE!Please put a stop sign so cars coming down the hill near this park will stop. The rock wall is high, and creates a blind corner. I have seen several kids nearly hit by cars at this location. Even when a parent is standing vigilantly trying to get bike riders/ball chasers/small children from running past the stairs/rock wall into the street, someone always manages to run into the street. Bikers will often&nbsp;dart into the intersection speeding&nbsp;down the little hill riding either in circles around the park sidewalk, or across driftwood view and into the culdesac.<br />I am placing the pictures I took here so they can come with a description. You can also download them by clicking on them and saving them (if you need to).<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HAtLWXy0xiM/ToNcyKEJsiI/AAAAAAAAB5w/VT1QpdUm8mM/s1600/Pic1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" kca="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HAtLWXy0xiM/ToNcyKEJsiI/AAAAAAAAB5w/VT1QpdUm8mM/s320/Pic1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>&nbsp;You can hardly see the mom's head. She is watching her children, but there is no possible way for a car to see her, or any other children standing near her ready to ride down the hill.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0neimiWlzv4/ToNc1wr5TOI/AAAAAAAAB50/YHPwJw5eP2k/s1600/pic2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" kca="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0neimiWlzv4/ToNc1wr5TOI/AAAAAAAAB50/YHPwJw5eP2k/s320/pic2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>&nbsp;Nearly at the corner, you can see the children running down the stairs,&nbsp;but you can still hardly see the top of the van, not to mention you can't see&nbsp;if other children are&nbsp;around,&nbsp;and you can barely see the top of the mom's head.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lrt-ceRhO-g/ToNc7DhvuhI/AAAAAAAAB54/d8Frv6kaHkU/s1600/pic3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" kca="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lrt-ceRhO-g/ToNc7DhvuhI/AAAAAAAAB54/d8Frv6kaHkU/s320/pic3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>&nbsp;from above, can you see anyone behind the rock wall?<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9qoRVDU7rCU/ToNdAa6yfWI/AAAAAAAAB58/NWJyoI8kYfo/s1600/pic4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" kca="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9qoRVDU7rCU/ToNdAa6yfWI/AAAAAAAAB58/NWJyoI8kYfo/s320/pic4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>&nbsp;here is a 21" bike, in the road. it is well shorter than the rock wall. from this vantage point, i can see the road above, but the rider would NOT, nor would a driver coming DOWN the hill.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-43Oe8FN2a2c/ToNdETLNnOI/AAAAAAAAB6A/d4XGAf9cL_Q/s1600/pic5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" kca="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-43Oe8FN2a2c/ToNdETLNnOI/AAAAAAAAB6A/d4XGAf9cL_Q/s320/pic5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>&nbsp;placement of the bike<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v20kegJ5QGw/ToNdISMLklI/AAAAAAAAB6E/KTGEygzTJC8/s1600/pic6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" kca="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v20kegJ5QGw/ToNdISMLklI/AAAAAAAAB6E/KTGEygzTJC8/s320/pic6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>&nbsp;cant see&nbsp;the bike&nbsp;- even though it is in the middle of the road.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZAL9nDWel9k/ToNdL0NMT4I/AAAAAAAAB6I/nGrww44jK44/s1600/pic7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" kca="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZAL9nDWel9k/ToNdL0NMT4I/AAAAAAAAB6I/nGrww44jK44/s320/pic7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>&nbsp;notice you can see the corner of the rocks, and the road is completely out of view until the OTHER side of the park. Cars often speed down this hill because there are no houses until AFTER the park. Kids, like to ride their bikes in a circle around the park sidewalk - often when they are turning at the bottom of the rock wall, they make their left turn WIDE, and end up in the street. Sometimes, they even continue down the hill into the culdesac on the opposite side of the road from the park.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7i551oWgvGc/ToNdPpgc9II/AAAAAAAAB6M/FNiUIPasieA/s1600/pic8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" kca="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7i551oWgvGc/ToNdPpgc9II/AAAAAAAAB6M/FNiUIPasieA/s320/pic8.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wu3u7hTLYzQ/ToNdTHxvoQI/AAAAAAAAB6Q/GbI59KTUufI/s1600/pic9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" kca="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wu3u7hTLYzQ/ToNdTHxvoQI/AAAAAAAAB6Q/GbI59KTUufI/s320/pic9.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>barely at this point can you START to see the bike in the middle of the road, and that is only IF you are turning your head and NOT looking at the road in front of you while coming down the hill.Emily Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01818400926841572377noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31422724.post-34351899910651769972011-04-16T20:58:00.003-06:002011-04-16T21:15:42.287-06:00videos of charityhey mom, you wanted videos of charity?<br /><br />here is her and&nbsp;me playing our duet!!! ;)<br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/s6kF2I4T_eQ?hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/s6kF2I4T_eQ?hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><br />here is her bar routine (she got 4th place) <br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/y-G0-lVDQ9M" title="YouTube video player" width="640"></iframe><br /><br /><br />and her beam routine... if you can handle me yelling at nate cause he keeps pulling my arm down and tugging on the camera...<br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/1-7_Xgfoj5U?hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/1-7_Xgfoj5U?hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><br />love ya!Emily Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01818400926841572377noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31422724.post-88871105120209856102010-09-10T16:34:00.001-06:002010-09-10T16:38:42.934-06:00Friday Cleaning!Well, toady was Friday CLEANING day!<br />I just have to say how amazed I am at my children. The entire day was AWESOME!<br />We had to wake up early to finish Aaron's school project, and were consequently rushed/almost late to school, so I thought the whole day would be as frantic.<br /><br />It wasn't<br /><br />I got a great deal done while the kids were at school - bathrooms, laundry, dusting, sheets, my bedroom and closet...<br />then I took a break to go to feed Nate lunch and do a reading lesson with him and go to a PTA meeting.<br /><br />Then, the kids came home.<br />That is when the magic happened.<br /><br />Charity was upset because she didn't get a stuffed animal (Aaron got one because he sold 2 entertainment books for the school). I was in the kitchen cleaning, and all of a sudden, I heard Aaron say "Hey, why dont you just have the frog - I don't really need it and I see you want it". <br /><br />I hadn't even said a word to him. I was just about to go ask Charity why she was crying... then I heard him say that...<br /><br />SERIOUSLY?<br /><br />That started it all. The kids were so cheerful doing their chores. I didn't raise my voice and was so pleased with how awesome they did! Charity cleaned out under her bed and the boys didn't complain about cleaning their room. We finished all our chores and it was only 4:15!<br />Just wanted to say how happy I am to have the most wonderful children in the world. I am so glad they are such awesome helpers and so sweet to eachother!Emily Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01818400926841572377noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31422724.post-53968982034956210562010-07-16T23:36:00.002-06:002010-08-08T17:15:58.517-06:00Texas!!!We left Monday from our "camping" trip in Beaver. Joe drove Mom Robinson up to her parent's house in Salt Lake. I cleaned out the car (it REALLY needed it after all that dust!) and packed for our trip to TEXAS!! Charity really enjoyed the visit with Joe's Grandma and Grandpa Harris.<br /><br />I had everything ready to go so the kids and I left the following morning when we woke up! I had absolutely no expectations of how far I could drive that day, but I just decided to get as far as I could until I was tired. The kids were AWESOME! They took turns choosing movies, and then when I got bored or tired, we sang (loudly) to all our favorite songs. I decided to stop at 9pm, but I felt like I could have driven forever! The next morning, we had a quick 7 hour drive to KELLER!<br /><br />Driving past Texas Motor Speedway Aaron said "Mom, this just FEELS like home!". Ya son, I know.<br />We were so excited to make it to my mom's house! Dawn's kids were there for the summer while she was doing an internship in IRELAND... so we were so excited to hang with the Howey kids!<br /><br />Time sure flew while we were there! We went to the bounce house one day... Seriously, we stayed for 4 hours. Hey, it kept the kids entertained! Yay for cousins!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TF83Ws_k31I/AAAAAAAAB4A/rP-6k1T_Yd0/s1600/BounceHouse.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 216px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TF83Ws_k31I/AAAAAAAAB4A/rP-6k1T_Yd0/s320/BounceHouse.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503178132844502866" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TF82oEeLnWI/AAAAAAAAB3w/9JMVwvFZqes/s1600/Cousins.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 238px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TF82oEeLnWI/AAAAAAAAB3w/9JMVwvFZqes/s320/Cousins.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503177331693034850" border="0" /></a>We also enjoyed doing a MILLION crafts, going to movies, McDonald's and SWIMMING... I also enjoyed spending time at CarieAnn's Pool! So glad she has one in her backyard (I know she has been waiting patiently for that).<br /><br />It was great getting to hang out with cousins! Aaron went to the TCU baseball camp while we were there. I think he had a good time. It is such a great camp! He kindof missed out on some cousin time, but I think it all worked out.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TF82nLpbXEI/AAAAAAAAB3o/2oocs8o7ROU/s1600/TCUcamp.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TF82nLpbXEI/AAAAAAAAB3o/2oocs8o7ROU/s320/TCUcamp.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503177316439383106" border="0" /></a>The 10 days I spent there went by way too fast! It was great for the kids to all be together! So glad we were able to have the Driscolls, Howeys, Robinsons and Liddles in the same place at the same time! Sorry Steph, Kennedy is too little to enjoy it - maybe next year?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TF83WDwgTPI/AAAAAAAAB34/v1cimeU6eZ0/s1600/BraeBirthday.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TF83WDwgTPI/AAAAAAAAB34/v1cimeU6eZ0/s320/BraeBirthday.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503178121775434994" border="0" /></a>We also had a little birthday party for Brae. Those boys are so stinkin cute!<br /><br />It was also great to see my friends! I saw Nancy Jetton in Frisco. Then, we had a girls ice cream night with Jen Sorenson (long lost friend), Valerie Nankervis, Ruth Brann and Carieann. Play days with Courtney Flynn and Cheryl King. Then, another girl night with Becky, Maleah, Amy (Maleah's S-I-L), Cherry, and Carieann.<br />I wish I could have spent more time with all of them. I wish I could have seen the ones I missed!Emily Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01818400926841572377noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31422724.post-10533758414127082822010-07-13T09:32:00.003-06:002010-07-14T16:38:59.913-06:004th of July!This year, we decided to join up with the Atkins for a camping/4wheeling trip! Big change from the rest of the weekends this summer I know! ;)<br />This trip was spectacular! Perry's family camps every year in the mountains above Beaver (where he is from). We joined up with their little reunion and camped with them on Big Flat - which is simply breathtaking! Beautiful grassy meadows tucked away in the mountains - up about 10000 feet. There are lots of ATV trails to enjoy too! The camping is so neat there because there are so many trees and different areas to camp that it is quite secluded and peaceful.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TD46D6ELf1I/AAAAAAAAB3g/OKddoic_T2E/s1600/100_7453.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TD46D6ELf1I/AAAAAAAAB3g/OKddoic_T2E/s320/100_7453.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493892434239389522" border="0" /></a>This is what it looked like. AMAZING!!!<br /></div><br />When I say camping, I mean, all the Atkins brought RVs and we stayed in a suite in a hotel there in Beaver (30 minute ride down the mountain) every night. After 4wheeling every day, it was just too tempting and comforting to have a shower and a bed to sleep in every night. It was also very nice because Joe's mom came! I hope she had fun. She just hung out with Perry's parents while we went on our rides. I don't think she minded though because we always came back so dirty!<br /><br />We enjoyed all the fun of camping though - fabulous camping meals - foil dinners, cobbler, marshmallows and hot dogs cooked over the fire. We enjoyed lots of sitting around and finding wood. We also enjoyed long walks to the bathroom ;)<br /><br />It was great to spend time with Joe's mom and also the Atkins! It was great to get to know more of his family! Yay for another weekend enjoying the mountains!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TD46DJG4zgI/AAAAAAAAB3Y/IP1PBo2PHH4/s1600/100_7432.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TD46DJG4zgI/AAAAAAAAB3Y/IP1PBo2PHH4/s320/100_7432.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493892421097410050" border="0" /></a>Aaron was promoted/demoted to driving my ride because we returned his crappy one. A promotion because it is a huge machine and he gets to drive it. A demotion because he has to chauffer me around as I do not yet trust him to NOT go too fast and fall down ravines (because he actually almost kills me at least once every ride).<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TD452LWQP3I/AAAAAAAAB3Q/r70KQCwkYiA/s1600/100_7486.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TD452LWQP3I/AAAAAAAAB3Q/r70KQCwkYiA/s320/100_7486.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493892198360432498" border="0" /></a>Joe and his mom!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TD451kAw_SI/AAAAAAAAB3I/9q_XbSI5baA/s1600/100_7485.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TD451kAw_SI/AAAAAAAAB3I/9q_XbSI5baA/s320/100_7485.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493892187801320738" border="0" /></a>Maleah loves to pose for pictures. So does Hoyt. Although, he is the cutest little thing you have ever seen!!!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TD451Xy9TeI/AAAAAAAAB3A/IIJiaFFG7xI/s1600/100_7484.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TD451Xy9TeI/AAAAAAAAB3A/IIJiaFFG7xI/s320/100_7484.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493892184522182114" border="0" /></a>BOYS!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TD450nG3XbI/AAAAAAAAB24/VlOWrTsqyk0/s1600/100_7480.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TD450nG3XbI/AAAAAAAAB24/VlOWrTsqyk0/s320/100_7480.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493892171452341682" border="0" /></a>Big John's Flat - we couldn't go any further due to "spring" runoff...<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TD450Bqb0tI/AAAAAAAAB2w/iRs1vOtD6LY/s1600/100_7472.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TD450Bqb0tI/AAAAAAAAB2w/iRs1vOtD6LY/s320/100_7472.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493892161400984274" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TD44yJSKBPI/AAAAAAAAB2o/AETMk7RmcRc/s1600/100_7464.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TD44yJSKBPI/AAAAAAAAB2o/AETMk7RmcRc/s320/100_7464.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493891029575271666" border="0" /></a>Nate decided to try to pierce his ear on a log. He thought he could balance and/or do log rolling like a lumber jack... I don't think he accomplished what he wanted. For DAYS this ear was black and blue and swollen - goose egg even behind the ear too... should I have taken him in for a CT scan?<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TD44xj_kGZI/AAAAAAAAB2g/jVCCC7Twf6E/s1600/100_7460.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TD44xj_kGZI/AAAAAAAAB2g/jVCCC7Twf6E/s320/100_7460.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493891019565177234" border="0" /></a>The Atkins and the fire - yes, it was cold and we all very much appreciated our jackets and the fire.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TD44xE6ye_I/AAAAAAAAB2Y/mETyh2dSkQA/s1600/100_7458.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TD44xE6ye_I/AAAAAAAAB2Y/mETyh2dSkQA/s320/100_7458.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493891011223649266" border="0" /></a>A lake up there... think it was cold?<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TD44w7kEcsI/AAAAAAAAB2Q/pxu6Cz3wij8/s1600/100_7444.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TD44w7kEcsI/AAAAAAAAB2Q/pxu6Cz3wij8/s320/100_7444.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493891008712438466" border="0" /></a>Do you see Joe? Some of the trails were pretty intense. So intense that I kicked Aaron to the back seat to drive myself. Thought I was going to fall off a cliff...<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TD44LsUqyaI/AAAAAAAAB2I/cdjkCscWUJo/s1600/100_7443.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TD44LsUqyaI/AAAAAAAAB2I/cdjkCscWUJo/s320/100_7443.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493890368966150562" border="0" /></a>Our Family picture... We were all smiling I promise! ;)<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TD44LD0i4iI/AAAAAAAAB2A/ipeeh_Ufado/s1600/100_7429.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TD44LD0i4iI/AAAAAAAAB2A/ipeeh_Ufado/s320/100_7429.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493890358093996578" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TD44KbdzbZI/AAAAAAAAB14/aRFOkGMjJx0/s1600/100_7427.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TD44KbdzbZI/AAAAAAAAB14/aRFOkGMjJx0/s320/100_7427.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493890347261193618" border="0" /></a>Surprise! Nate fell asleep!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TD44J58BXPI/AAAAAAAAB1w/pWs7ycbkYlM/s1600/100_7414.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TD44J58BXPI/AAAAAAAAB1w/pWs7ycbkYlM/s320/100_7414.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493890338261130482" border="0" /></a>This was our camping spot. How beautiful was this?<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TD44JNHpBxI/AAAAAAAAB1o/lFEw_uK5gF4/s1600/100_7411.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TD44JNHpBxI/AAAAAAAAB1o/lFEw_uK5gF4/s320/100_7411.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493890326230271762" border="0" /></a>The Atkins... and Joe waiting patiently for breakfast. Maleah, check out your legs. Seriously.<br /></div>Emily Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01818400926841572377noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31422724.post-75158396525652531152010-06-29T10:57:00.007-06:002010-06-29T11:33:20.030-06:00Weekend!Saturday, Charity had her little gymnastics recital. She was ADORABLE! She was so excited about it! Her little team did a dance to a Lion King song. I think my daughter was the cutest one out there! I wasn't overly impressed with the whole show, but I guess I am just hard to impress when it comes to dance performances? There were a few cute numbers, but that was about it. Supposedly, Charity is at the best (most winning) gym in Utah... Kindof makes me miss Texas and real sports there...<br />It was still cute, and all the girls had their new leotards on. Charity was so excited about hers... so I guess it was everything we dreamed it could be!<br />All of my pictures were blurry... but I did at least get video!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TCoquo0a0bI/AAAAAAAABzI/h536gH0fB1U/s1600/100_7291.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TCoquo0a0bI/AAAAAAAABzI/h536gH0fB1U/s320/100_7291.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488246076623999410" border="0" /></a>Charity is one of those little blurs... Just waiting for her turn to dance...<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TCoqvKJ1wUI/AAAAAAAABzQ/3MpuauE9OdY/s1600/100_7295.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TCoqvKJ1wUI/AAAAAAAABzQ/3MpuauE9OdY/s320/100_7295.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488246085572215106" border="0" /></a><br />Luckily, her recital was at 10 am... and we were out of there by 10:45 (we left right after her dance was done)... so we headed down to MANTI with the Atkins and our 4wheelers for a day in the mountains!!! We went up in the Manti-LaSal trails (over by Ephriam) and it was so picturesque. The spring run-off had a bunch of the trails closed, so we mostly spent the day driving on the mountain dirt roads... Can't say it was the funnest day of RIDING, but it was really beautiful.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TCosIo1YRoI/AAAAAAAAB1A/_yCrOmv2q5M/s1600/100_7355.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TCosIo1YRoI/AAAAAAAAB1A/_yCrOmv2q5M/s320/100_7355.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488247622816253570" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TCorwwS_LSI/AAAAAAAAB04/1_JRZraShfs/s1600/100_7350.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TCorwwS_LSI/AAAAAAAAB04/1_JRZraShfs/s320/100_7350.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488247212502625570" border="0" /></a>Spring run-off? This was on one of the trails we TRIED to take. A little further ahead, the trail was completely washed away and under some quick moving water, so we had to turn back and go back on the awesome mountain dirt road.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TCorwUubpDI/AAAAAAAAB0w/po_WsqGSdiI/s1600/100_7348.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TCorwUubpDI/AAAAAAAAB0w/po_WsqGSdiI/s320/100_7348.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488247205101544498" border="0" /></a>JOE'S!!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TCorv951_wI/AAAAAAAAB0o/w9o3U_xn3Is/s1600/100_7346.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TCorv951_wI/AAAAAAAAB0o/w9o3U_xn3Is/s320/100_7346.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488247198975393538" border="0" /></a>Dirty Sanchez?<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TCorvYJyISI/AAAAAAAAB0g/e4Mk2rjTLMA/s1600/100_7343.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TCorvYJyISI/AAAAAAAAB0g/e4Mk2rjTLMA/s320/100_7343.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488247188841701666" border="0" /></a>Maleah and ME! So glad to have a friend!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TCoru-4498I/AAAAAAAAB0Y/BlMrFf5lV4A/s1600/100_7340.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TCoru-4498I/AAAAAAAAB0Y/BlMrFf5lV4A/s320/100_7340.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488247182059960258" border="0" /></a>Boys planning... with maps in hand. Hopeful to find a good trail...<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TCorVqIeHGI/AAAAAAAAB0Q/9mH7HUpkUhw/s1600/100_7335.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TCorVqIeHGI/AAAAAAAAB0Q/9mH7HUpkUhw/s320/100_7335.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488246746991434850" border="0" /></a>Cutie Patooties!! These kids are AWESOME!<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TCorVNz0aeI/AAAAAAAAB0I/W4TRz_ibgbc/s1600/100_7332.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TCorVNz0aeI/AAAAAAAAB0I/W4TRz_ibgbc/s320/100_7332.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488246739388623330" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TCorUjVK3UI/AAAAAAAAB0A/lBPJIt955_8/s1600/100_7325.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TCorUjVK3UI/AAAAAAAAB0A/lBPJIt955_8/s320/100_7325.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488246727985782082" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TCorUFd-uAI/AAAAAAAABz4/okV4_iiGLEc/s1600/100_7327.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TCorUFd-uAI/AAAAAAAABz4/okV4_iiGLEc/s320/100_7327.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488246719969671170" border="0" /></a>It is beyond me how Nate could sleep like this...<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TCorTqy8LNI/AAAAAAAABzw/A4a8cgJtiv0/s1600/100_7323.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TCorTqy8LNI/AAAAAAAABzw/A4a8cgJtiv0/s320/100_7323.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488246712809827538" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TCoqw1-pzgI/AAAAAAAABzo/EzfxXMJnrVM/s1600/100_7308.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TCoqw1-pzgI/AAAAAAAABzo/EzfxXMJnrVM/s320/100_7308.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488246114516323842" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TCoqwDA-brI/AAAAAAAABzg/fKXcCeKMZ1M/s1600/100_7302.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TCoqwDA-brI/AAAAAAAABzg/fKXcCeKMZ1M/s320/100_7302.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488246100835856050" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TCoqvp-0aHI/AAAAAAAABzY/S9SH2ugJdcg/s1600/100_7300.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TCoqvp-0aHI/AAAAAAAABzY/S9SH2ugJdcg/s320/100_7300.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488246094115924082" border="0" /></a>We went up and over the mountains to a lake, where had a late lunch/snack at the marina there.<br />We put on about 60 miles that day... and, after riding on the dirt all day, we were REALLY FILTHY!<br />We loaded the machines back in the trailer and headed to the Manti (Mormon Miracle) pageant. I was grateful for the change of clothes that we brought! I was also grateful for the wipes I keep stored in the back of my car! And also, the blankets cause it sure got cold!<br />The pageant was not what I envisioned, but I think the kids really enjoyed it.<br />We had a great time, and made it back SOOO late. I was NOT looking forward to church (and being early for choir to sing and to play the organ and do primary) the next day...<br />BUT, I cant help but be thrilled that we can go out and do fun days in the mountains, and still make it back for church! Can't say that happens in TX! (I'm really working hard to be grateful for being here!)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TCosJHckc-I/AAAAAAAAB1I/ADI28i6OnZk/s1600/100_7367.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TCosJHckc-I/AAAAAAAAB1I/ADI28i6OnZk/s320/100_7367.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488247631033693154" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TCosJgJhucI/AAAAAAAAB1Q/0gAZGIA1hFE/s1600/100_7371.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TCosJgJhucI/AAAAAAAAB1Q/0gAZGIA1hFE/s320/100_7371.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488247637664709058" border="0" /></a>Buddies!!!<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TCosJ3S7TxI/AAAAAAAAB1Y/hMeKrKQAGA4/s1600/100_7372.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TCosJ3S7TxI/AAAAAAAAB1Y/hMeKrKQAGA4/s320/100_7372.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488247643878149906" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TCosKT_W5HI/AAAAAAAAB1g/sCDjq0PGSUA/s1600/100_7380.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TCosKT_W5HI/AAAAAAAAB1g/sCDjq0PGSUA/s320/100_7380.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488247651580699762" border="0" /></a>Emily Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01818400926841572377noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31422724.post-67755075024938254402010-06-23T10:44:00.000-06:002010-06-29T10:56:21.788-06:00Free Fun!We have enjoyed the free splash pad in Highland. It is pretty close and there is a Little Caesars across the street, so it makes for a cheap and easy day of fun in the sun!<br /><br />Summer and Alyssa Bradshaw came with us the other day! Those girls are so adorable! I don't know how Kysha does it, but she homeschools, and teaches those girls their string instruments! I love Kysha, and those girls and Charity have so much fun together!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TColCkXMJpI/AAAAAAAABy4/lk8A2CWqE3E/s1600/100_7283.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TColCkXMJpI/AAAAAAAABy4/lk8A2CWqE3E/s320/100_7283.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488239821955278482" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TColCDve0fI/AAAAAAAAByw/Lr6eIdn4riA/s1600/100_7280.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TColCDve0fI/AAAAAAAAByw/Lr6eIdn4riA/s320/100_7280.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488239813198795250" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TColBls6_ZI/AAAAAAAAByo/_-1Jj5rMN0k/s1600/100_7271.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TColBls6_ZI/AAAAAAAAByo/_-1Jj5rMN0k/s320/100_7271.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488239805134994834" border="0" /></a>After the splash pad, the girls spent the day (and well into the night) making up dances and songs and just plain being little girls. I hope to steal those girls again!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TColDGpnrJI/AAAAAAAABzA/_sUIAPlgpuM/s1600/100_7287.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TColDGpnrJI/AAAAAAAABzA/_sUIAPlgpuM/s320/100_7287.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488239831159385234" border="0" /></a>As you can see, the boys had just as much fun!? I don't know how Nate falls asleep like this... He's CRAZY! Guess he was tired?<br /></div>Emily Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01818400926841572377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31422724.post-80961859016354805942010-06-21T09:48:00.002-06:002010-06-29T10:36:48.794-06:00Fathers Day weekend!Friday and Saturday, I ran in the RAGNAR. I left my kids in the afternoon, and drove with the Atkins, Harwards, and new friend Natasha up to EDEN Utah for our first van to hand off to us.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TCoW98fR_5I/AAAAAAAABxY/m83Cr8GFZ3M/s1600/Ragnar2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TCoW98fR_5I/AAAAAAAABxY/m83Cr8GFZ3M/s320/Ragnar2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488224349369532306" border="0" /></a>Here was our awesome VAN #2! The Atkins, Harwards, Natasha and Me!!<br /></div><br />The RAGNAR is a 188 mile relay race. Our team of 12 people divided in to 2 vans. The first van started at 11:30 Friday morning. Each of them ran different length legs. They started in Logan, and met up with us for the first van exchange in Eden.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TCoW9i0AOJI/AAAAAAAABxQ/VzcV_L4sHg8/s1600/Ragnar1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TCoW9i0AOJI/AAAAAAAABxQ/VzcV_L4sHg8/s320/Ragnar1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488224342477125778" border="0" /></a>Here are the Chickas from VAN 2 as we were waiting for our first exchange. We were so excited and ready to start RUNNING!!! One of these things is not like the other... who is it? oh, its ME! I am the one with no boobs who cant help bu look like WT...<br /><br /></div>They arrived at 6:30, and our legs were all different lengths (averaging about 4 miles each). I was runner 12, so I was the last person to run in our van. My particular leg was uphill the entire time at a pretty killer incline... but I came in before my estimated time! ;) That was my only goal. My leg ended towards 11pm, so we handed off to the other van, ate subway, then parked the car to take a quick nap. Nobody slept well because the parking lot was all a bustle the entire time - with headlights shining into our faces... but by 5am we were ready for another van exchange.<br />Our van ROCKED! Our team name was TEA BAGS AND TATAs... but last minute, some girls in van 1 were offended, so the name was changed to something else... but I don't know what it was - our numbers still had the original name, so that was what I went with.<br />Maleah and Perry are ROCKSTARS and came in averaging 8 minute miles - on legs of about 10 miles!!! Katie and Natasha were AWESOME too! They are super fast and super awesome! Nate was not really a runner before a month ago but he did great too! We had a LOT of fun! My second leg was 6.8 miles. It was supposed to be a gradual incline, but mostly flat. It was NOT SUPPOSED to be all completely uphill... but it was. I was running mid-morning, so I was really hot and quite discouraged when I kept seeing massive inclines ahead. BUT, at least I came in faster than the estimated time, so I was still pleased... After my first run, I thought I should have pushed myself faster. But after this run, I felt like I left it all on the table. My lips were SO chapped! It felt like I was frothing at the mouth. I swear my whole face and mouth had the white salt residue all over! It was AWESOME!!!<br /><br />I was the last runner in our van, so after I handed it off to van 1, we headed to Maleah's parent's condo in Midway (close to where our next van exchange would be) and took a shower and a nap! We were all so exhausted from running and not sleeping. It felt good to shower. We also slept for about an hour! It was SO nice!<br />We made it to the next van exchange. It was our last one, and we were all still VERY tired, and being that it was Saturday late afternoon, we were all getting pretty discouraged knowing that we would not be done till later that night. Our last legs were all KILLER! Katie ended up having to add on another mile and a half to hers for some detour... She handed off to me for the VERY LAST LEG!!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TCoW-U-W0oI/AAAAAAAABxg/2v1V2xNJQbE/s1600/Ragnar3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TCoW-U-W0oI/AAAAAAAABxg/2v1V2xNJQbE/s320/Ragnar3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488224355942322818" border="0" /></a>Katie is handing off to me after running 7 miles - she looks great. I look like I'm in pain and I haven't even started running yet... Is there something wrong here?<br /><br /></div>My last leg was 5.1 miles. I was so tired. I was really just wanting to be home. I did great on the first couple miles, but again, it was uphill!!! My last 2.5 miles were completely uphill and it was hot and late and I wanted to cry. BUT, it was awesome to run in at the end into the Canyons and have people cheering for me. Then the team joined in on the last few meters. We finished at about 7:15pm.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TCoW-_XklgI/AAAAAAAABxo/ufPbvl5ey7I/s1600/Ragnar4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TCoW-_XklgI/AAAAAAAABxo/ufPbvl5ey7I/s320/Ragnar4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488224367322371586" border="0" /></a>Here is our team right at the end. I look like I'm gonna die. But everyone else looks great! At least I got to keep the slap bracelet (the team baton)!!!<br /><br /></div>We went to Wendys for some FOOD!!! I mean, it was great eating only beef jerky, bananas, energy shots and pretzels, but I wanted a HAMBURGER!!!<br /><br />I probably annoyed everyone there, but it was really fun, and I look forward to doing it again next year!<br />I came home and was delirious with fatigue. It was really hard, but I am motivated to become a better runner and improve my times for the next one!<br /><br />We got home Saturday night, and although I would RATHER have slept in and spent Sunday in bed, I was a good wife...<br />I made Joe breakfast in bed (although he snuck out and went running). At least he got a nice breakfast! Then, we went to church (where I was on organ duty, and did primary music)...<br />THEN<br />Choir was canceled for Fathers day, so Joe and I loaded up and headed to Strawberry to ride the trails out there! It was absolutely beautiful!<br />We rode to this really pretty reservoir. Joe has this gps device that records where we go, and he was having fun with it! I would really like to go out there again! The kids had a great time!<br />These little family excursions on the weekends are really help convince me that Utah might not be so bad. I have never before had so much fun with just my little family! It is awesome to just pack up and do things like this in the mountains!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TCodgUQygpI/AAAAAAAAByQ/PZzS-GwQ934/s1600/100_7234.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TCodgUQygpI/AAAAAAAAByQ/PZzS-GwQ934/s320/100_7234.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488231536936518290" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TCodf0XJ-VI/AAAAAAAAByI/E_vG0VdhVQE/s1600/100_7232.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TCodf0XJ-VI/AAAAAAAAByI/E_vG0VdhVQE/s320/100_7232.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488231528373287250" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TCodfazb7bI/AAAAAAAAByA/dBnELFD1JhA/s1600/100_7231.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TCodfazb7bI/AAAAAAAAByA/dBnELFD1JhA/s320/100_7231.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488231521512582578" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TCode4glnoI/AAAAAAAABx4/FvEcf5tiRX8/s1600/100_7229.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TCode4glnoI/AAAAAAAABx4/FvEcf5tiRX8/s320/100_7229.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488231512306720386" border="0" /></a>I wish I was a better photog!!! The view was SO amazing from up there!<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TCodeZdY6jI/AAAAAAAABxw/__oQk71RBao/s1600/100_7225.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TCodeZdY6jI/AAAAAAAABxw/__oQk71RBao/s320/100_7225.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488231503971805746" border="0" /></a>Yes, my 9 yr old is driving the 350. I am on the back. The seats are actually pretty comfortable. Aaron is such a trooper cause his 4wheeler broke and pretty much SUCKS... so I let him drive. He's actually getting a LOT better! (excepting that one incident where he was going too fast around a corner and we slid off and almost went down a ravine)<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TCofBDRhshI/AAAAAAAAByg/N_dRlOMGiGY/s1600/100_7244.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TCofBDRhshI/AAAAAAAAByg/N_dRlOMGiGY/s320/100_7244.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488233198823518738" border="0" /></a>Here is my awesome husband. With Aaron's 4wheeler out of commission, Nate has to ride up front on Joe's. I hate it when Nate is in front of me cause our helmets always bonk. But Joe is sweet to endure. Also notice Charity's mirror-tinted visor. She is such a princess! I just wonder why he didn't order another one for his WIFE???? (hint hint)<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TCofAZSZoeI/AAAAAAAAByY/Mdi74aHp-Lc/s1600/100_7239.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TCofAZSZoeI/AAAAAAAAByY/Mdi74aHp-Lc/s320/100_7239.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488233187552895458" border="0" /></a>My kids are awesome!<br /></div>Emily Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01818400926841572377noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31422724.post-82519680062463244342010-06-13T21:23:00.001-06:002010-06-13T21:23:44.694-06:00HIJACKED!My sister hijacked my blog.<br />I am NOT pregnant.Emily Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01818400926841572377noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31422724.post-26649286781441364642010-06-06T18:09:00.004-06:002010-06-06T18:29:01.076-06:00Sunday in the CanyonToday, we went to lunch in American Fork Canyon with the Atkin family. It was absolutely beautiful! The weather was perfect. The scenery was so amazing!<br />We walked around on the trails for a little bit. I could have stayed up there for hours, but apparently, Joe got bored and maybe the kids got tired, so we turned around and headed back to the car. The run-off was making the river/stream run so quickly. It made for nervous parents as the little ones kept getting nearer the edge throwing rocks in to the rapids. It was running so fast that you could hear the rocks under the water getting pushed downstream.<br />I guess in Texas we couldn't have spent the day outside in the mountains eating lunch and hiking around... maybe I will start to like it here a bit better?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TAw8wMkYiAI/AAAAAAAABwY/p5TUFNRvxOs/s1600/100_7132.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TAw8wMkYiAI/AAAAAAAABwY/p5TUFNRvxOs/s400/100_7132.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479821645308266498" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TAw8vltYgoI/AAAAAAAABwQ/_RrBAnIFeQU/s1600/100_7142.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TAw8vltYgoI/AAAAAAAABwQ/_RrBAnIFeQU/s400/100_7142.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479821634877031042" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TAw8vJFoNUI/AAAAAAAABwI/5gCfVGKRImA/s1600/100_7128.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TAw8vJFoNUI/AAAAAAAABwI/5gCfVGKRImA/s400/100_7128.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479821627194094914" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TAw7wNIfOnI/AAAAAAAABwA/uiXa5GIWFwM/s1600/100_7140.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TAw7wNIfOnI/AAAAAAAABwA/uiXa5GIWFwM/s400/100_7140.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479820545948072562" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TAw7vexjZII/AAAAAAAABv4/khOF_xKekoU/s1600/100_7134.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TAw7vexjZII/AAAAAAAABv4/khOF_xKekoU/s400/100_7134.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479820533503845506" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TAw7uZ1G3jI/AAAAAAAABvw/D1zNOjGwX0o/s1600/100_7124.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TAw7uZ1G3jI/AAAAAAAABvw/D1zNOjGwX0o/s400/100_7124.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479820514996706866" border="0" /></a>Dirty FACE!!!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TAw7t8ciOHI/AAAAAAAABvo/qBqb3C_ysEg/s1600/100_7115.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TAw7t8ciOHI/AAAAAAAABvo/qBqb3C_ysEg/s400/100_7115.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479820507109013618" border="0" /></a>I promise, this is no blue screen... how pretty is this???<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TAw7tfPNgXI/AAAAAAAABvg/YGoH2cw0D4g/s1600/100_7112.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TAw7tfPNgXI/AAAAAAAABvg/YGoH2cw0D4g/s400/100_7112.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479820499268501874" border="0" /></a>Emily Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01818400926841572377noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31422724.post-5567285267690554402010-06-01T15:44:00.014-06:002010-06-02T08:34:17.671-06:00Memorial Day!We just got back from a REALLY fun trip!<br />Friday, after the kids' last day of school, we packed up our four wheelers and headed south! Joe and Perry had been planning this little excursion for months, so the boys were really excited.<br />We met up with the Atkins down in Beaver, and headed further on towards Escalante. We got there after dark, so we set up a little camp site just off the road.<br />That first night was amazing. Since we were so secluded, we didn't put up the privacy/rain flap over our tent. We were able to just look up at the stars in the sky all night. Our tent (without the rain flap) is essentially just a screen, so it was like sleeping on a tarp outside - we had almost an entire 360 degree view! It was a bit chilly, but the kids were in heaven! Joe and I forgot how uncomfortable it is to sleep on the hard ground, but beyond that, we had a great night! Amy and Matt and family pulled in and set up camp later that night.<br />We woke up, packed up our crap, ate poptarts for breakfast, then headed to Escalante to meet up with the rest of the group.<br />Amy and Matt rented a Jeep, and Joe's dad came too with his new Jeep! Perry's brother Trent also came along.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TAWJSMnidNI/AAAAAAAABsI/VDjM-n50E4w/s1600/DSC_0487.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TAWJSMnidNI/AAAAAAAABsI/VDjM-n50E4w/s400/DSC_0487.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477935467483788498" border="0" /></a>Here we are just before we set out on our LONNNNNGGGG ride.<br /><br /></div>That first day, we did the Hole in the Rock trail. All in all, we drove those 4wheelers about 70 miles that day. The first 30 miles was to Hole in the Rock... We stopped by Dance Hall Rock and Carcass Wash.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TAWJT9MwW2I/AAAAAAAABsg/gYu_zclaeCc/s1600/DSC_0534.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TAWJT9MwW2I/AAAAAAAABsg/gYu_zclaeCc/s400/DSC_0534.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477935497704659810" border="0" /></a>Dance Hall rock was pretty cool... I couldn't help but want to dance a bit and maybe do a few handstands...<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TAWJTSN3izI/AAAAAAAABsY/JPHRlMCQY2E/s1600/DSC_0510.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TAWJTSN3izI/AAAAAAAABsY/JPHRlMCQY2E/s400/DSC_0510.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477935486166600498" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TAWJSxwswzI/AAAAAAAABsQ/Vyx1SXrBn8c/s1600/DSC_0503.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TAWJSxwswzI/AAAAAAAABsQ/Vyx1SXrBn8c/s400/DSC_0503.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477935477454324530" border="0" /></a>The last 8 miles or so of the trail was actually fun to ride (cant say the same about the first part). There were actually some parts that I didn't think the Jeeps could get up - but they did!<br />We hiked to the top of the cliff by Hole in the Rock, ate lunch and took pictures.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TAXZymImRqI/AAAAAAAABtI/HjbK3WN28mM/s1600/DSC_0626.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TAXZymImRqI/AAAAAAAABtI/HjbK3WN28mM/s400/DSC_0626.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478023985019373218" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TAXZyA6echI/AAAAAAAABtA/q0S7fXZ4tR4/s1600/DSC_0620.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TAXZyA6echI/AAAAAAAABtA/q0S7fXZ4tR4/s400/DSC_0620.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478023975028027922" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TAXZxoEswiI/AAAAAAAABs4/_yKYXnz1tpk/s1600/DSC_0616.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TAXZxoEswiI/AAAAAAAABs4/_yKYXnz1tpk/s400/DSC_0616.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478023968360022562" border="0" /></a>It was neat to be up there NOT sweaty... and NOT having to have climbed up the whole way from the boat!<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TAXZxFQJ05I/AAAAAAAABsw/l9p7RODRUfA/s1600/DSC_0563.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TAXZxFQJ05I/AAAAAAAABsw/l9p7RODRUfA/s400/DSC_0563.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478023959012823954" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TAXZwlQFngI/AAAAAAAABso/HPbFoz38bWk/s1600/DSC_0561.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TAXZwlQFngI/AAAAAAAABso/HPbFoz38bWk/s400/DSC_0561.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478023950422613506" border="0" /></a>It was fun to be there when it was not boiling hot. The weather was actually pleasant. But, I did not venture down to the lake to jump in as I had thought I would...<br />On our way back, we took the trail up 50 mile bench. That was actually a really fun ride. we went up some really steep and rocky switch backs. Then, up at the top it was full of trees and little hills and it was quite beautiful and made for a very fun ride. We had ditched Aaron's little 4 wheeler, so it was nice to have Grandpa's Jeep to throw an extra kid into... Nate even got a nap!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TAXeopH9inI/AAAAAAAABtQ/hQaAV2HNXoA/s1600/DSC_0636.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TAXeopH9inI/AAAAAAAABtQ/hQaAV2HNXoA/s400/DSC_0636.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478029311581457010" border="0" /></a>Here is the Jeep... a really neat part of the trail.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TAZrHJouskI/AAAAAAAABvY/OY5njvr4igU/s1600/DSC_0659.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TAZrHJouskI/AAAAAAAABvY/OY5njvr4igU/s400/DSC_0659.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478183767332794946" border="0" /></a>At the top, Nate kept saying "I can see the whole Earf from here... but I cant see our house" He was so funny. Charity got a bit nervous of the cliffs. It was really fun to hear their different comments.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TAZrGovx0RI/AAAAAAAABvQ/jTEs2o_Xnm4/s1600/DSC_0639.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TAZrGovx0RI/AAAAAAAABvQ/jTEs2o_Xnm4/s400/DSC_0639.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478183758503989522" border="0" /></a>Here are the girls in the jeep... a bit more comfortable, and a LOT less dusty!<br /><br /></div>That night, we camped in town at a little campsite. The Atkins gave up trying to camp, and headed to Perry's brother's house for the night. We ate some tin foil dinners, and some cobbler... and slept. We were all VERY tired. We were all also VERY glad to get a wash down at the camp's showers!<br />Sunday, we woke up and very leisurely took down camp, loaded up, ate breakfast, and headed towards Bryce Canyon. We stopped along the way to hike up towards Mossy cave and this neat waterfall.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TAXgb8iMDwI/AAAAAAAABt4/hRfULRLJiA8/s1600/DSC_0800.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TAXgb8iMDwI/AAAAAAAABt4/hRfULRLJiA8/s400/DSC_0800.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478031292476690178" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TAXeqkAxffI/AAAAAAAABtw/YfHGGaCJEgA/s1600/DSC_0789.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TAXeqkAxffI/AAAAAAAABtw/YfHGGaCJEgA/s400/DSC_0789.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478029344568868338" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TAXeqOKNERI/AAAAAAAABto/bF0ruHx65fw/s1600/DSC_0787.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TAXeqOKNERI/AAAAAAAABto/bF0ruHx65fw/s400/DSC_0787.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478029338702844178" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TAXepg2eblI/AAAAAAAABtg/UStm51EzwGk/s1600/DSC_0776.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TAXepg2eblI/AAAAAAAABtg/UStm51EzwGk/s400/DSC_0776.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478029326540500562" border="0" /></a>Maybe Nate was having a little breakdown here...<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TAXepOEf8gI/AAAAAAAABtY/pBVJ_lej6b0/s1600/DSC_0775.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TAXepOEf8gI/AAAAAAAABtY/pBVJ_lej6b0/s400/DSC_0775.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478029321499046402" border="0" /></a>We unhitched the trailers at the entrance to Bryce, and spent the day enjoying the beautiful views the canyon offers. Amy and Matt decided to head back to Idaho...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TAXgdHiPXAI/AAAAAAAABuI/VAvUVFc80t0/s1600/DSC_0890.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TAXgdHiPXAI/AAAAAAAABuI/VAvUVFc80t0/s400/DSC_0890.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478031312609565698" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TAXgciqfh9I/AAAAAAAABuA/9bUyv_aVlCk/s1600/DSC_0822.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TAXgciqfh9I/AAAAAAAABuA/9bUyv_aVlCk/s400/DSC_0822.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478031302712068050" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TAWIap9_xrI/AAAAAAAABrg/gwZA1eMkJbU/s1600/100_7025.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TAWIap9_xrI/AAAAAAAABrg/gwZA1eMkJbU/s400/100_7025.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477934513289938610" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TAWIZxpgOzI/AAAAAAAABrY/Fre6EjQMUpY/s1600/100_7023.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TAWIZxpgOzI/AAAAAAAABrY/Fre6EjQMUpY/s400/100_7023.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477934498171599666" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TAWIbdGi-CI/AAAAAAAABrw/TzBWC8RbRYs/s1600/100_7042.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TAWIbdGi-CI/AAAAAAAABrw/TzBWC8RbRYs/s400/100_7042.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477934527016007714" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TAWIa332j5I/AAAAAAAABro/kcO16mgIWHI/s1600/100_7037.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TAWIa332j5I/AAAAAAAABro/kcO16mgIWHI/s400/100_7037.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477934517022265234" border="0" /></a>That afternoon, after Bryce Canyon, we decided to sleep in a hotel... We checked in, and then headed up to hit a few ATV trails behind Tropic. Trish decided to stay in the hotel and nap. Grandpa rode my 4 wheeler, and enjoyed sitting in the trailer reading. It was very relaxing for me! The kids had fun (grandpa might be a funner driver than mom?). Then Aaron's 4 wheeler broke :(.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TAWIb94LKxI/AAAAAAAABr4/n3su0LLbNYg/s1600/100_7052.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TAWIb94LKxI/AAAAAAAABr4/n3su0LLbNYg/s400/100_7052.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477934535814097682" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TAWJRqZdP3I/AAAAAAAABsA/Gh9FMH_okzY/s1600/100_7057.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TAWJRqZdP3I/AAAAAAAABsA/Gh9FMH_okzY/s400/100_7057.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477935458297921394" border="0" /></a>We grilled hamburgers (of course the Atkins had TURKEY burgers and pita bread because they watch their figures).<br />Then, we headed back to the hotel, bathed the kids and put them to bed. Grandpa had already fallen asleep, so Perry, Maleah, Joe and I headed to the restaurant at the front of the hotel and grabbed dessert, then played games in their "deluxe" lobby area.<br />We took our time getting up on Monday morning, ate our free pancake breakfast, and headed towards Red Canyon.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TAXgdmzf1NI/AAAAAAAABuQ/L53armI2Fbk/s1600/DSC_0899.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TAXgdmzf1NI/AAAAAAAABuQ/L53armI2Fbk/s400/DSC_0899.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478031321003447506" border="0" /></a>Trish captured this pic of the Atkins leading us towards Red Canyon. The scenery was so spectacular.<br /><br /></div>We rode the Casto Canyon trail and it was really fun. Again, because Aaron's piece of crap broke, we put an extra kid in the Jeep with Grandma and Grandpa. Riley got in there with Charity. I think the girls actually enjoyed that ride a bit better... I'm sure Dad and Trish enjoyed hearing them sing the WHOLE time... ;)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TAXgeBAVCLI/AAAAAAAABuY/q2mooq3ULnM/s1600/DSC_0906.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TAXgeBAVCLI/AAAAAAAABuY/q2mooq3ULnM/s400/DSC_0906.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478031328036587698" border="0" /></a><br />Near the top, Maleah and I decided to go on a little jog... it didn't last long.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TAXh5FA2ImI/AAAAAAAABuw/aFYoRMSrdiI/s1600/DSC_0962.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TAXh5FA2ImI/AAAAAAAABuw/aFYoRMSrdiI/s400/DSC_0962.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478032892480594530" border="0" /></a>We joined back up with the rest of the group at this beautiful lookout point. The whole trail was actually fun - with little streams and TONS of different kind of rock. Portions of the trail were full of pines and dark rock... then there were portions with that green color and white limestone... then there were portions with the red rock and sand. It was quite breathtaking.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TAXh6KUTYCI/AAAAAAAABvA/h4Og6sBWIzI/s1600/DSC_1015.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TAXh6KUTYCI/AAAAAAAABvA/h4Og6sBWIzI/s400/DSC_1015.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478032911084249122" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TAXh5iSap2I/AAAAAAAABu4/WOlSBUQwGF4/s1600/DSC_0981.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TAXh5iSap2I/AAAAAAAABu4/WOlSBUQwGF4/s400/DSC_0981.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478032900338919266" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TAXh473RhhI/AAAAAAAABuo/n6UeiUDaPaw/s1600/DSC_0952.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TAXh473RhhI/AAAAAAAABuo/n6UeiUDaPaw/s400/DSC_0952.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478032890024527378" border="0" /></a>Can you see Me and Joe? This trail was really neat!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TAXh4BA6I0I/AAAAAAAABug/byod_EsGbPA/s1600/DSC_0931.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TAXh4BA6I0I/AAAAAAAABug/byod_EsGbPA/s400/DSC_0931.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478032874227245890" border="0" /></a>What a good looking family!!! SO glad we are friends with these guys!!! Glad we are surviving Utah together!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TAXjy7IWL0I/AAAAAAAABvI/fokK5FczLDc/s1600/DSC_1027.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/TAXjy7IWL0I/AAAAAAAABvI/fokK5FczLDc/s400/DSC_1027.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478034985771740994" border="0" /></a>Here I am. I am feeling so fat right now. I have eaten like garbage and have not worked out at all... Trish took this pic. Maleah suggested I put this as my Facebook profile pic. Should I?<br /><br /></div>Then, the jeep went back the way we came while we continued down the loop through a red rock/river bed.<br /><br />At the end of that ride, our trip had to come to an end.<br />We were FILTHY. We were all sunburned (despite using sunblock). But we had a WONDERFUL time!<br />We loaded our trailers and parted ways.<br />We made it home - Monday night. We were so dirty that EVERYTHING had to be washed before it was brought into the house/garage. I was actually proud of myself for washing/cleaning out the car and doing the laundry THAT night.<br />But, I guess that is just an indication of how extremely dirty everything and everyone was!Emily Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01818400926841572377noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31422724.post-32692153809314094152010-05-27T11:50:00.004-06:002010-05-27T14:29:52.374-06:00My feelings as a Mom...I sat here this morning with Nate's arm around me. He nuzzled right next to me and tried to get his little arm all the way around my back. He was giggly and looking at all the pictures on the blogs I was reading. At the same time he was not fighting for attention. He was quiet and calm. He was cuddly and warm. He had asked to watch cartoons, but I was postponing plugging him in to steal a few minutes just like that.<br /><br />It seems like all the blogs have everyone in every picture looking totally put together. They all have great huge smiles and designer clothes. Their houses are all clean. Their kids' faces are clean and their hair is DONE. They all decorate their house like professionals and take the most amazing pictures.<br /><br />Then, I went through my pictures.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S_7T71u5COI/AAAAAAAABrQ/SE6NQkKIhiU/s1600/100_6852.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S_7T71u5COI/AAAAAAAABrQ/SE6NQkKIhiU/s400/100_6852.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476047221918599394" border="0" /></a>My house is often messy. It is plain and not decorated. Our hair is never done perfectly and we don't all look cute or put together. Our clothes aren't fancy or even in style. My pictures are always blurry.<br /><br />But, where the art and the dazzle is lacking, I can't help but feel like I am not missing a thing. I want nothing but another year just like this.<br /><br />In so many of the pictures, my kids have their arms around each other. They are smiling. They are happy. They love each other. We have such great times together. This is the best season of life.<br /><br />I was talking to my mom, and she told me about one of her favorite pictures. When we were all around my kids' ages, she got a picture taken of us all lined up on a couch. She calls the picture "The end of innocence". We were all happy and young. It was just before we moved to N.J. and she had 5 crazy teenage daughters. The picture was taken when she would think to herself "My kids will NEVER do that...".<br /><br />She was wrong, and I am sure I will face some pretty tough things in the very near future.<br /><br />But for just this moment, I am overcome with happiness. I am overcome with gratitude for the comfort in which we live and the sweetness of my children. I am overcome with the feeling that I just want to pause here for a minute. I want to keep my kids at this phase for a while. I just want to enjoy this season of life.<br />I did enjoy the baby/toddler phase, but I was always looking towards the next milestone. I was always thinking "Oh how nice will it be when we're out of diapers!" or "how nice will it be when they are mobile" or "how nice will it be when they are in school..." etc. Then I blinked, and all three of my kids were independent beings with independent thoughts and ideas about how life should be.<br /><br />I love how my oldest boy will just hug me in the mornings and tell me he really loves me. He is so sweet and tender. My daughter is the funnest little girl in the world - completely girly - filling her time doing cartwheels, dancing, singing, and changing out her earrings. My baby is in preschool, and growing too quickly. He is hilarious.<br /><br />Already I feel like they don't really NEED me, but they WANT me to be with them and I know they really do LOVE me. I feel like I have the best kids in the world.<br />I dont want that to end.<br /><br />I'm going to blink and they will be teenagers.Emily Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01818400926841572377noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31422724.post-53425046148408011132010-05-24T23:37:00.011-06:002010-05-25T00:22:42.674-06:00The Sun will come out Tomorrow...<div align="left">On days like today, I have to remind myself that Utah is really not that bad.<br /></div><div align="left">I might have woken up, hoping for sunshine. Maybe I imagined that since it is the last week of school, it would be warm and my kids would be able to wear shorts. I dreamt of spending the afternoon in the park. </div><div align="center">I woke up and saw this:<br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475084581836582226" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S_toaz-WbVI/AAAAAAAABpw/RSi44E675d0/s400/100_6867.JPG" /> <p align="center">Yes, it is May 24th. This is the last week of MAY.<br /></p><br />In Arizona, everyone is hot.<br />In Texas, everyone is hot.<br />They have been enjoying days using their pools. They are all getting tan.<br /><br />I keep hearing that Utah is beautiful in the spring and summer.<br />I am still waiting for said "beauty".<br />I am still pasty white.<br />I am still cold.<br />I am still waiting for the sun to motivate me to work off my "winter pounds".<br /><br />I got to walk out this morning and scrape several inches of snow off my car.<br /><br />Out my kitchen window, I normally have this view:<br />(these photos were taken a few weeks ago)<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S_toaiWuHNI/AAAAAAAABpo/LTdaJtf7p80/s1600/100_6740.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475084577106959570" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S_toaiWuHNI/AAAAAAAABpo/LTdaJtf7p80/s400/100_6740.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S_toaBJK3kI/AAAAAAAABpg/sTTOPQyM9Z8/s1600/100_6739.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475084568191753794" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S_toaBJK3kI/AAAAAAAABpg/sTTOPQyM9Z8/s400/100_6739.JPG" /> <p align="center"></a>Beautiful - right? I fell in LOVE with this view. I fell in love with having no back door neighbors so I can see the mountains and valley and lake...<br /></p><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S_toZutjDPI/AAAAAAAABpY/ONNJ9BHXI7g/s1600/100_6738.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475084563244059890" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S_toZutjDPI/AAAAAAAABpY/ONNJ9BHXI7g/s400/100_6738.JPG" /></a>When I was younger, I used to LOVE the mountains. All of my religious beliefs were encompassed in lessons and analogies involving mountains... Don't get me started or else I'll go into some dissertation involving not only things I felt from spending time in mountains, but also from "mountain" analogies using calculus, physics, chemistry, philosophy, scriptures... you name it all the way to books like "Miracle of Forgiveness".<br /><br />Why did I wake up this morning with the feeling like I am being strangled and cut off by these mountains - rather than enjoying their <span style="font-size:78%;">{previous favorite phrase describing them}</span> ineffable majesty?<br /><br />Right now, to quote from "BIG RIVER"... "I've been waiting for the light to shine, oh yes I'm waiting for the light to shine. I have lived in the darkness for so long I am waiting for the light to shine!!!"<br /><br />In all fairness, the sun came out this afternoon. It warmed to nearly 50 degrees. Aaron's baseball game was cancelled, so we went to the batting cages. I had a wonderful afternoon/evening with my sweet children. We are all healthy and happy. There is plenty to be grateful for. Even though there was a blizzard this morning, we were safe and warm in our house/school. The kids have warm jackets. I got my butt out the door and to the gym. All was not completely lost.Emily Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01818400926841572377noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31422724.post-17160183387580891922010-04-09T09:03:00.000-06:002010-05-25T09:46:03.663-06:00Birthday Season Begins!<div style="text-align: center;">My baby is 4!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S_vp-OlJZ3I/AAAAAAAABqw/LYRvcPQJjZU/s1600/100_6538.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S_vp-OlJZ3I/AAAAAAAABqw/LYRvcPQJjZU/s400/100_6538.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475227027274033010" border="0" /></a>He is the sweetest, cutest little dude in the WORLD! He brightens my day! I love how he talks. I love how he runs. I love to watch him play with his siblings. I think he is so funny when he thinks he is sneaky. He is so easygoing. I love his eyes and his smile. I love his little voice. I love how he cuddles with me. I love how amazing he is! I am so lucky this kid is in my life! I LOVE being his mother!<br /></div><br /><br />All of our birthdays (besides Joe's) are essentially within a month of each other... so Spring is quite busy at our house!<br />Nate's birthday (since it is first) ushers in what our family considers the birthday season.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S_vpkDiMKQI/AAAAAAAABp4/kU0sx-NEGIo/s1600/100_6519.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S_vpkDiMKQI/AAAAAAAABp4/kU0sx-NEGIo/s400/100_6519.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475226577632241922" border="0" /></a>He woke up to BIRTHDAY PANCAKES!!! I was really proud of myself for getting an actual breakfast (besides cereal) made before the kids had to catch the bus.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S_vpkRTlo8I/AAAAAAAABqA/2g8Pa-OMCTc/s1600/100_6521.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S_vpkRTlo8I/AAAAAAAABqA/2g8Pa-OMCTc/s400/100_6521.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475226581329093570" border="0" /></a>His pancakes are an N and a 4 (just in case you couldn't tell). I love that in this picture, you can see how Aaron and Charity are trying to show him how to blow!!!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S_vpk7W3nSI/AAAAAAAABqI/q9kCh7tT4lU/s1600/100_6530.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S_vpk7W3nSI/AAAAAAAABqI/q9kCh7tT4lU/s400/100_6530.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475226592617143586" border="0" /></a>For lunch, I grabbed the kids from school and we met Joe at ChuckyCheese's! We all (of course) had a wonderful time! Is this my last ChuckyCheese's birthday? probably... it kindof makes me sad... I can't believe my kids are all so big now!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S_vp-3kUtWI/AAAAAAAABrA/eL_v8Ov5u7Y/s1600/100_6523.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S_vp-3kUtWI/AAAAAAAABrA/eL_v8Ov5u7Y/s400/100_6523.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475227038276433250" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S_vp-ex8qYI/AAAAAAAABq4/0QhZZfoxA6Y/s1600/100_6531.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S_vp-ex8qYI/AAAAAAAABq4/0QhZZfoxA6Y/s400/100_6531.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475227031622691202" border="0" /></a>You will notice this stupid little truck ride was the hit. Yes, that is my 9 year old still thinking he's cool on it.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S_vp9pr7e4I/AAAAAAAABqo/I0mxh6vqH0k/s1600/100_6551.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S_vp9pr7e4I/AAAAAAAABqo/I0mxh6vqH0k/s400/100_6551.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475227017370368898" border="0" /></a> Nate's birthday was Thursday... So Friday night, we had our little birthday party for him. He wanted a Transformers cake. In my ghetto cake style, this kid got what he wanted - complete with Bumblebee and an autobot and decepticon battling it out on a mountain... Lydia suggested brown sugar as a dirt road... AWESOME!!! Totally ghetto... but at least the kids thought it was cool!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S_vp9BspcOI/AAAAAAAABqg/L4MDPS3JhLU/s1600/100_6555.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S_vp9BspcOI/AAAAAAAABqg/L4MDPS3JhLU/s400/100_6555.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475227006635962594" border="0" /></a>We were glad to have the Atkins, the Harwards (where Nate now goes to preschool), Emily Cardon's family, Jen &amp; Ted's family, Lydia's family, Owen &amp; Alyssa, and Steve's family and Sam come to his party. Quite a turnout for only being here a month! Thank goodness for family right?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S_vpllmqIwI/AAAAAAAABqY/Eo0mippvRRc/s1600/100_6561.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S_vpllmqIwI/AAAAAAAABqY/Eo0mippvRRc/s400/100_6561.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475226603957658370" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S_vplakZxKI/AAAAAAAABqQ/bodqlGTsfGQ/s1600/100_6568.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S_vplakZxKI/AAAAAAAABqQ/bodqlGTsfGQ/s400/100_6568.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475226600995407010" border="0" /></a>Of course, what is a party without a pinata?<br /><br />The kids had a great time. It was a very simple party.<br /><br />HAPPY BIRTHDAY NATE!Emily Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01818400926841572377noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31422724.post-42436380080591515052010-03-11T09:48:00.000-07:002010-05-25T09:53:58.208-06:00Goodbye Big Truck!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S_vyCny41RI/AAAAAAAABrI/RhshK_bNjQs/s1600/100_6333.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S_vyCny41RI/AAAAAAAABrI/RhshK_bNjQs/s400/100_6333.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475235898855052562" border="0" /></a><br />Or Denali was needing repairs. It made awful sounds when it drove. It had 200000 miles on it.<br />So, it was decision time: put more money into it? or get a new car?<br />We searched for used cars...<br />But, I fell in love with this shiny new car.<br />So we bought it.<br />What's funny is we bought it at the same dealership as we bought our Maxima... just ten years later.<br />I hope it lasts 200000+ miles like that great car of ours! They now sit next to eachother in our driveway.Emily Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01818400926841572377noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31422724.post-36655042932982975192010-03-07T21:20:00.007-07:002010-03-08T08:42:47.799-07:00CRUISE!!!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S5UVQJhB5II/AAAAAAAABkY/hPr7txZp_KI/s1600-h/100_6284.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S5UVQJhB5II/AAAAAAAABkY/hPr7txZp_KI/s400/100_6284.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446282691551028354" border="0" /></a>Joe and I went on a CRUISE!!! It was so awesome! We went with our great friends, the Walls, the Eastmans, the Atkins, and our new friends the Harwards. We scheduled it before we even thought about moving to Utah. So, the week after we moved in, we ditched our kids on Sam, Kat, Owen, and Alyssa and took off for a week in the Caribbean!<br /><br />The festivities began Saturday night. We flew in to Houston, where the Walls picked us up and we all went up to Joe's dad's place for an evening of pre-cruise luxury. We sat in the hot tub...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S5SD1KQcEAI/AAAAAAAABhY/DtOpVQV5pXc/s1600-h/100_6101.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S5SD1KQcEAI/AAAAAAAABhY/DtOpVQV5pXc/s400/100_6101.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446122798707380226" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S5SD0uSPsNI/AAAAAAAABhQ/8HkDb_o-I7A/s1600-h/100_6100.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S5SD0uSPsNI/AAAAAAAABhQ/8HkDb_o-I7A/s400/100_6100.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446122791198765266" border="0" /></a>and in the morning, the boys thought they would join the Conroe Crew team.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S5SD1nuv0hI/AAAAAAAABhg/L7toCJ8qRcs/s1600-h/100_6112.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S5SD1nuv0hI/AAAAAAAABhg/L7toCJ8qRcs/s400/100_6112.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446122806619132434" border="0" /></a>Then, we headed towards Galveston to board our ship - the Royal Caribbean's Voyager of the Seas. The best part of the boarding process was the cookies we ate while waiting and waiting and waiting....<br /><br />We got to our rooms, ate dinner, explored the ship, and went to bed... pretty un-eventful. Then, we had a day at sea - where we just worked out and relaxed. It was very windy, but we still enjoyed ourselves. Joe, Me, Perry, and Nate signed up for a scuba excursion, so because we had to get up early, we went to bed early...<br /><br />Then, we got to Cozumel. Our scuba excursion was to meet at the pier at 7:45am. At that time, we found out they cancelled our dive!!! We were pretty bummed, but decided to make the best of it. We met up with everyone else and rented scooters for the day! It was so much fun riding around the island exploring. We found a resort and laid out on the beach there... then, they wanted us to purchase more drinks, pay for a chair, or leave. Needless to say, we decided to leave. Randomly, while riding behind Joe (my personal windshield), I got stung by a crazy hornet right on my hand... Kindof a bummer, but all I could do was hope I wouldn't get some crazy Mexican hornet disease...We then found the most georgous beach and Katie, Nate and I went body surfing. The water was so nice, and it was so good to swim in the ocean!! It made me want to go to Hawaii again... but maybe another trip? ;)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S5UMWbiFCSI/AAAAAAAABh4/TY26HMoVhFE/s1600-h/100_6155.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S5UMWbiFCSI/AAAAAAAABh4/TY26HMoVhFE/s400/100_6155.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446272903861831970" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S5UMWOVaIFI/AAAAAAAABhw/gU77DXWpOqI/s1600-h/100_6136.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S5UMWOVaIFI/AAAAAAAABhw/gU77DXWpOqI/s400/100_6136.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446272900319027282" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S5UMVcmQTOI/AAAAAAAABho/dipYA_DUAIo/s1600-h/100_6134.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S5UMVcmQTOI/AAAAAAAABho/dipYA_DUAIo/s400/100_6134.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446272886967913698" border="0" /></a>While I was swimming, Joe, Becky and Greg went exploring and found an awesome blow hole...<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S5UMW0C8-CI/AAAAAAAABiA/8lVIrbAWcKQ/s1600-h/100_6156.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S5UMW0C8-CI/AAAAAAAABiA/8lVIrbAWcKQ/s400/100_6156.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446272910442166306" border="0" /></a>We then jumped back on the scooters, drove back towards town where we did a bit of shopping before getting back on the ship. The scuba divers in our group signed up for the next dive in Grand Cayman hopefully to take place the next afternoon...<br /><br />The next morning, we woke up leisurely and made our way to meet the scuba group. The dive was still going to happen! We were thrilled because there were HUGE waves on the other side of the island, and our ship had to actually dock in a different place. Most of the excursions were canceled due to the huge waves crashing into the buildings along 7 mile beach and downtown. Maleah and Katie accompanied us on the tender boat to the pier - they were going to lay out on a beach.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S5UOWuqR4CI/AAAAAAAABiQ/B5lCPBQZxU0/s1600-h/100_6161.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S5UOWuqR4CI/AAAAAAAABiQ/B5lCPBQZxU0/s400/100_6161.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446275108019757090" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S5UOWHbq7uI/AAAAAAAABiI/kpsTQsgEwjI/s1600-h/100_6160.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S5UOWHbq7uI/AAAAAAAABiI/kpsTQsgEwjI/s400/100_6160.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446275097489501922" border="0" /></a>Joe, me, Perry and Nate then rode a bus about 2 miles, got on another tender boat (with our cruise ship still in sight) and then onto the scuba boat. The dive was AMAZING! I was a bit nervous because I hadn't gone since I certified way back 13 years before... Joe and Perry had just certified before the trip (so they were a bit more confident)... I had a hard time equalizing the first few minutes on the first dive, but after that, it was AWESOME! The second dive, I went down early with one of the dive masters to give me some extra time to equalize, and that was all I needed. There were some AMAZING swim through tunnels in the reef. We saw some amazing fish and the coral was SO neat! I accidentally bumped into some coral and got some of it stuck in my fingers, but I guess that was my souvenir! Our dives were over too quickly, and we had to change back to a little boat back to the dock, jump on a bus, then onto the tender boat back to the ship. Part of me wishes we could have just taken our scuba boat straight to the ship, but oh well!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S5UOX_6hxpI/AAAAAAAABig/YNuP9kIL3Ho/s1600-h/100_6166.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S5UOX_6hxpI/AAAAAAAABig/YNuP9kIL3Ho/s400/100_6166.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446275129831179922" border="0" /></a>Our Scuba boat...<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S5UOXS5kYFI/AAAAAAAABiY/phlcNNKeUog/s1600-h/100_6164.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S5UOXS5kYFI/AAAAAAAABiY/phlcNNKeUog/s400/100_6164.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446275117747560530" border="0" /></a>Do you see our ship in the background?<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I had such a great time! It got pretty cold on the way back... but it was worth it! I am ready to plan another scuba adventure!!! AWESOME day!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S5UOYfLEzbI/AAAAAAAABio/G_E8gfvVQFY/s1600-h/100_6174.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S5UOYfLEzbI/AAAAAAAABio/G_E8gfvVQFY/s400/100_6174.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446275138222083506" border="0" /></a>Here we are in our room playing games. After this, we found a game room and didnt have to squish in our little room for our activities.<br /></div><br />The next day, we docked in Jamaica. Our group split up again and The Walls, Eastmans and us went on an excursion to Ochos Rios and rode the lift up the mountain to ride the bobsled. It was pretty fun.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S5URSMAenHI/AAAAAAAABjQ/O4bLdxosoSw/s1600-h/100_6205.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S5URSMAenHI/AAAAAAAABjQ/O4bLdxosoSw/s400/100_6205.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446278328533032050" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S5URRsZrTuI/AAAAAAAABjI/tpG_YZVdGzM/s1600-h/100_6225.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S5URRsZrTuI/AAAAAAAABjI/tpG_YZVdGzM/s400/100_6225.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446278320048787170" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S5URRFEl7zI/AAAAAAAABjA/7Ugtjq9Vi3Y/s1600-h/100_6192.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S5URRFEl7zI/AAAAAAAABjA/7Ugtjq9Vi3Y/s400/100_6192.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446278309491371826" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S5URQob4dRI/AAAAAAAABi4/oMPwl8hfIic/s1600-h/100_6182.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S5URQob4dRI/AAAAAAAABi4/oMPwl8hfIic/s400/100_6182.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446278301804426514" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S5URQJIYnLI/AAAAAAAABiw/Pf0XdoVtCdM/s1600-h/100_6181.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S5URQJIYnLI/AAAAAAAABiw/Pf0XdoVtCdM/s400/100_6181.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446278293401148594" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S5UTawcoIwI/AAAAAAAABjY/aKO18HdgTMw/s1600-h/100_6226.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S5UTawcoIwI/AAAAAAAABjY/aKO18HdgTMw/s400/100_6226.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446280674776982274" border="0" /></a>Then, we ate lunch and headed over to Dunns Falls. Joe and Brent stayed on the shore and captured the rest of us in the water as we climbed up the 900 foot falls. It was so AWESOME! Unfortunately, it was VERY windy, which made me VERY COLD!!! Not too cold to enjoy the falls though... It really was spectacular. I cut up my shins (my souvenir from Jamaica) on some rocks in the falls, but not too bad. Nobody else seemed to trip and scrape themselves - so I think it just means I am a klutz!!! Joe videoed the whole thing, so I don't have any pictures...<br /><br />We had 2 days in a row at sea on the way back. I LOVED simply relaxing and enjoying being an adult on a ship of fun! We ATE, mini-golfed, rock climbed, ATE, worked out, took naps, ATE, watched shows, ATE, laid out, ATE, played games, roller bladed, ATE, played more games, watched the sunset, and ATE some more.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br />These boys were posing for us...<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S5UVQy41n4I/AAAAAAAABkg/By3igcHmYC0/s1600-h/100_6307.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S5UVQy41n4I/AAAAAAAABkg/By3igcHmYC0/s400/100_6307.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446282702656741250" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S5UVPdeichI/AAAAAAAABkQ/gzphStqTwyo/s1600-h/100_6266.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S5UVPdeichI/AAAAAAAABkQ/gzphStqTwyo/s400/100_6266.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446282679729418770" border="0" /></a>Nothing beats the rock-climbing gear!<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S5UVOytpK0I/AAAAAAAABkI/IZdLRrFRmaY/s1600-h/100_6249.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S5UVOytpK0I/AAAAAAAABkI/IZdLRrFRmaY/s400/100_6249.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446282668250049346" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S5UVOcICodI/AAAAAAAABkA/IAVR9d-mDDY/s1600-h/100_6247.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S5UVOcICodI/AAAAAAAABkA/IAVR9d-mDDY/s400/100_6247.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446282662186754514" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S5UTdL_01pI/AAAAAAAABj4/InP113-gXgY/s1600-h/100_6260.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S5UTdL_01pI/AAAAAAAABj4/InP113-gXgY/s400/100_6260.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446280716532110994" border="0" /></a>Formal night w/our waiters Razvan and Hasan. We loved them!<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S5UTccUXElI/AAAAAAAABjw/qU5HlFCNMWQ/s1600-h/100_6243.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S5UTccUXElI/AAAAAAAABjw/qU5HlFCNMWQ/s400/100_6243.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446280703733338706" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S5UTb69f58I/AAAAAAAABjo/FJDSp5GJ0QA/s1600-h/100_6240.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S5UTb69f58I/AAAAAAAABjo/FJDSp5GJ0QA/s400/100_6240.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446280694779078594" border="0" /></a>Watching shows...<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S5UTbLjoqAI/AAAAAAAABjg/2qBE50poekQ/s1600-h/100_6237.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S5UTbLjoqAI/AAAAAAAABjg/2qBE50poekQ/s400/100_6237.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446280682054133762" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here we are across the promenade shops from the Atkins' room... It was so fun to go with friends! It was a wonderful trip! We had such a great time!<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S5UWUQUlMaI/AAAAAAAABko/X_TAYINPaIY/s1600-h/100_6329.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S5UWUQUlMaI/AAAAAAAABko/X_TAYINPaIY/s400/100_6329.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446283861608968610" border="0" /></a><br />Absolute Favorites:<br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Scooter ride</li><li>Scuba diving</li><li>Games - some of them had me nearly peeing my pants from laughter!</li><li>Dodge ball - Greg roll tackled the cruise director... </li><li>Long enjoyable dinners with friends.</li><li>Lots of inside jokes that will bring chuckles for years to come!</li></ul>It was kindof weird to come "home" to UTAH... I was very excited to see my kids, but not quite ready to call this place "home" yet. It just doesnt feel real yet.Emily Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01818400926841572377noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31422724.post-41764237960604143272010-01-11T16:52:00.000-07:002010-05-24T17:11:57.777-06:00Single Mom style...Living with Grandma Allen has been a lot of fun... but it would be nice to have a husband!!! Joe is not planning on coming home again until the move... which is right now looking like Feb 6th...<br />We have been killin time at the gym (trying to get Mom in shape before the CRUISE!!!!)<br />The kids enjoy climbing the rock wall. Having nothing pressing to get home to makes it easy to say YES for once!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S_sGKCHM6WI/AAAAAAAABpA/eW7gKhqqSMo/s1600/100_5900.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S_sGKCHM6WI/AAAAAAAABpA/eW7gKhqqSMo/s400/100_5900.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474976541434505570" border="0" /></a>Check out this girl!!! She makes it up those things like they're NOTHIN!<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S_sGJu4Ei4I/AAAAAAAABo4/ZlpMlreghn0/s1600/100_5897.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S_sGJu4Ei4I/AAAAAAAABo4/ZlpMlreghn0/s400/100_5897.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474976536270769026" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S_sGJYZ6DMI/AAAAAAAABow/Tw1moeHvVPo/s1600/100_5891.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S_sGJYZ6DMI/AAAAAAAABow/Tw1moeHvVPo/s400/100_5891.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474976530238672066" border="0" /></a>Nate thinks he's pretty cool!!! Maybe he'll get to the top?<br /></div><br /><br />I "attempted" to homeschool the kids. January 4th, I woke up, fed the kids, and immediately went into an attempted lesson for the day. It was complete with worksheets and everything.<br />Ten minutes later, I gave up.<br />By 10 am, I was at the local elementary school signing my kids up for a temporary stint at Florence Elementary. They would ride the bus! They would meet new friends! They would not whine and complain to me when I asked them to do a stupid little assignment!<br /><br />I decided they need some more activities to occupy their time... SO... The kids are taking gymnastics for a few weeks here... just for something to do in the afternoons.<br />It is really fun to get to hang out with Cherry's kids all the time now! Nate adores his time with Max, Cherry and Sarah are the cutest little friends, and Aaron and Luke of course are the studliest little buddies!<br />Having family around will at least make the next six husband-less weeks go by more pleasantly!<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S_sGLBeIebI/AAAAAAAABpQ/2RQWTyqW4Yc/s1600/100_5912.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S_sGLBeIebI/AAAAAAAABpQ/2RQWTyqW4Yc/s400/100_5912.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474976558442117554" border="0" /></a>Do you think he was tired? What kind of mom lets her kid fall asleep in the middle of the floor? (me)<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S_sGKrhJJQI/AAAAAAAABpI/4_i5j7tyF4w/s1600/100_5911.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S_sGKrhJJQI/AAAAAAAABpI/4_i5j7tyF4w/s400/100_5911.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474976552549164290" border="0" /></a>Best buds.<br /></div>Emily Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01818400926841572377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31422724.post-9332892568892605532009-12-31T16:13:00.002-07:002010-05-24T16:52:10.762-06:00Trip to Houston!Christmas afternoon, Joe and I packed up and headed to Houston... for what would probably be our last trip there for who knows how long... :(<br />We first went to Dad Robinson's new house. He had heated his pool... it was LOVELY and warm. Outside was very cold. All the little cousins were in heaven! The Davies even graced us with their presence! It was great to see mostly all of Joe's family.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S_sAFyQi4MI/AAAAAAAABoo/BccIJplPSOE/s1600/100_5874.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S_sAFyQi4MI/AAAAAAAABoo/BccIJplPSOE/s400/100_5874.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474969871389483202" border="0" /></a>The kids sleeping so soundly in the bunk house... I LOVE how cute and cuddly they are!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S_sAFQbo_8I/AAAAAAAABog/6w4fdDxodVA/s1600/100_5862.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S_sAFQbo_8I/AAAAAAAABog/6w4fdDxodVA/s400/100_5862.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474969862309216194" border="0" /></a>Nate has become quite the little fish! He loves to swim! He actually swims quite far by himself for a little 3 year old! Yay for swim lessons!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S_sAE8vB1gI/AAAAAAAABoY/JhkFdTKQCO0/s1600/100_5859.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S_sAE8vB1gI/AAAAAAAABoY/JhkFdTKQCO0/s400/100_5859.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474969857021826562" border="0" /></a>Joe and Nate on their inaugural ride down the slide<br /><br />Joe had to work during the week, so when he was in Utah, I just chilled with the sister in laws... spent the night at the ranch, bounced between Jeff's house, the Ranch, and the Lake House.<br />I also took that opportunity to hang out with Kysha! It was so good to see her and her DARLING little girls. They (at 4 and 7) are already better than I could ever hope to be at stringed instruments. I just think they are amazing!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S_r-86tA87I/AAAAAAAABno/mhBWpHVnLxA/s1600/100_5818.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S_r-86tA87I/AAAAAAAABno/mhBWpHVnLxA/s400/100_5818.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474968619525927858" border="0" /></a>Kysha's adorable family!!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S_r-8X3comI/AAAAAAAABng/E-70poWMPbo/s1600/100_5813.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S_r-8X3comI/AAAAAAAABng/E-70poWMPbo/s400/100_5813.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474968610174444130" border="0" /></a>LOVE these girls!<br /><br /><br />Joe flew back to Houston Wed night for the New Years festivities.<br />All five brothers were around, so there were lots of "Boy" activities... go karts, motorcycles, basketball...<br />I just enjoyed relaxing and watching everyone else have fun. The kids enjoyed swimming, playing, eating donuts, go karts, 4wheeling at the ranch... the list goes on...<br />It was sad to think we might not make it back for a while.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S_r_ygmjSwI/AAAAAAAABoQ/ChO0VW6ySTA/s1600/100_5836.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S_r_ygmjSwI/AAAAAAAABoQ/ChO0VW6ySTA/s400/100_5836.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474969540232432386" border="0" /></a>The five brothers on five bikes.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S_r_yBiaBJI/AAAAAAAABoI/TQVzyM6jK6Y/s1600/100_5830.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S_r_yBiaBJI/AAAAAAAABoI/TQVzyM6jK6Y/s400/100_5830.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474969531893548178" border="0" /></a>Aaron and Joe are such buddies. They are two peas in a pod. He wants to be able to do all the things his daddy gets to do! I can't believe how fast he is growing up!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S_r_x_IazOI/AAAAAAAABoA/VwzwctIXWzI/s1600/100_5827.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S_r_x_IazOI/AAAAAAAABoA/VwzwctIXWzI/s400/100_5827.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474969531247676642" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S_r_xd7h6uI/AAAAAAAABn4/RqlFKoFx6BA/s1600/100_5824.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S_r_xd7h6uI/AAAAAAAABn4/RqlFKoFx6BA/s400/100_5824.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474969522335247074" border="0" /></a>My little Nate waiting so patiently, looking so cute in his boots...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S_r_wxw7VZI/AAAAAAAABnw/0PLW7VqBGq4/s1600/100_5781a.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S_r_wxw7VZI/AAAAAAAABnw/0PLW7VqBGq4/s400/100_5781a.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474969510479615378" border="0" /></a>Just hangin out - watching the "kids" on their karting adventure.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S_r-7zH9UOI/AAAAAAAABnY/_7DqBuN4nTs/s1600/100_5812.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S_r-7zH9UOI/AAAAAAAABnY/_7DqBuN4nTs/s400/100_5812.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474968600311582946" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S_r-7mbpL9I/AAAAAAAABnQ/ny8aD69W-OU/s1600/100_5808.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S_r-7mbpL9I/AAAAAAAABnQ/ny8aD69W-OU/s400/100_5808.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474968596904488914" border="0" /></a>Notice Joe by his lonesome. He was riding in the lead right there with Jeff and Sam... but somehow he got spun out in the grass...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S_r-hUCJjJI/AAAAAAAABnA/RMiLVSz5Zoo/s1600/100_5770.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S_r-hUCJjJI/AAAAAAAABnA/RMiLVSz5Zoo/s400/100_5770.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474968145289120914" border="0" /></a>Jeff explaining some crazy maneuvers to his captive audience.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S_r-hGDMAHI/AAAAAAAABm4/Zt6Wl5Ju4kE/s1600/100_5769.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S_r-hGDMAHI/AAAAAAAABm4/Zt6Wl5Ju4kE/s400/100_5769.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474968141535379570" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S_r-gvxENsI/AAAAAAAABmw/mKrAojLNIT8/s1600/100_5723.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S_r-gvxENsI/AAAAAAAABmw/mKrAojLNIT8/s400/100_5723.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474968135553791682" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S_r-gc3mV8I/AAAAAAAABmo/NA6ITeX59kc/s1600/100_5721.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S_r-gc3mV8I/AAAAAAAABmo/NA6ITeX59kc/s400/100_5721.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474968130480920514" border="0" /></a>Aaron's king of the world!!!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S_r-furSMkI/AAAAAAAABmg/kdwGCLRqoxM/s1600/100_5709.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S_r-furSMkI/AAAAAAAABmg/kdwGCLRqoxM/s400/100_5709.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474968118081237570" border="0" /></a>Kids all piling in the hot tub... maybe cause even though the pool might be at around 90 degrees... it doesnt keep you warm on a night around 30 degrees outside!<br /><br /><br />New Years Mom Robinson was there for the party... there was the essential settlers game, puzzle, and we had a kareoke sing a long at Jeff's house. Next day, we made our way back over to Dad Robinson's house for another swim...<br /><br />But, then, we had to go home. Joe had to get back to his new job...Emily Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01818400926841572377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31422724.post-23227611420297995512009-12-25T17:00:00.000-07:002010-03-28T22:48:51.879-06:00Christmas!<div style="text-align: center;">Merry Christmas!<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S7Av7Eypr4I/AAAAAAAABl4/I294KGZjujU/s1600/100_5651.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S7Av7Eypr4I/AAAAAAAABl4/I294KGZjujU/s400/100_5651.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453911840690646914" border="0" /></a>Our Christmas loot this year looked SOOO big!!!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S7Av85E7ZrI/AAAAAAAABmQ/96eAKXwrb7s/s1600/100_5672.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S7Av85E7ZrI/AAAAAAAABmQ/96eAKXwrb7s/s400/100_5672.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453911871905818290" border="0" /></a>My mom - the cooking fairy... ;)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S7Av8ERZodI/AAAAAAAABmI/uCRl_7uZPe8/s1600/100_5668.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S7Av8ERZodI/AAAAAAAABmI/uCRl_7uZPe8/s400/100_5668.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453911857731051986" border="0" /></a>The kids were so excited about every gift they opened! Charity was thrilled with all her new crafts - she was even excited about the socks and underwear she opened. I love how my children are so easily pleased! My parents (of course) spoiled my kids with a million more gifts than they normally would have gotten... but who's complaining!?!???<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S7Av7i2y3lI/AAAAAAAABmA/cSVlb1C-V8E/s1600/100_5665.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S7Av7i2y3lI/AAAAAAAABmA/cSVlb1C-V8E/s400/100_5665.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453911848761089618" border="0" /></a>We had a wonderful day playing with all the new toys! Later in the afternoon, we packed up and headed down to Houston to see Joe's family...Emily Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01818400926841572377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31422724.post-28255940941680994792009-12-24T23:00:00.001-07:002010-03-28T22:32:42.592-06:00Christmas Eve!We were finally settled in to Grandma Allen's house. We no longer own a home! I am 30 and living with my mother!<br />At least my piano has a lovely home. It is actually quite fun to have 2 LARGE pianos in 1 room! So many fun duets!!! We have been having a LOT of fun with music! Christmas is the BEST time to have 2 pianos! ;)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S7ApsFGnx-I/AAAAAAAABlo/a4oIOYtnQzo/s1600/100_5631.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S7ApsFGnx-I/AAAAAAAABlo/a4oIOYtnQzo/s400/100_5631.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453904986006603746" border="0" /></a>Anyways, Christmas Eve was AWESOME!It SNOWED... HERE IN TEXAS!!! We had a WHITE CHRISTMAS!!!!<br />Believe you me - the kids were so pumped about it!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S7ApjYmmmNI/AAAAAAAABlY/N9Mfztvk5rQ/s1600/WhiteChristmas.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S7ApjYmmmNI/AAAAAAAABlY/N9Mfztvk5rQ/s400/WhiteChristmas.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453904836622194898" border="0" /></a>Cherry &amp; Scott and family came over for Christmas Eve dinner... well, they had to park in the neighborhood behind Grandma's house because the snow made it so hard to get up the hill to her neighborhood!!! We had a WONDERFUL meal - all seafood! Shrimp, salmon, halibut, crab legs... everything down to the salad was made with fish! Luckily Grandpa Allen and Scott are excellent chefs! IT WAS DELICIOUS! It was such a lovely evening!<br /><br />Then, the kids put on a show/nativity, and then the Driscolls went home. Here are my kids putting on a second show(singing/dancing) before we let them open their traditional 1 present for Christmas Eve...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S7ApkP_qesI/AAAAAAAABlg/Dgg9HRtxgEM/s1600/Singing.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S7ApkP_qesI/AAAAAAAABlg/Dgg9HRtxgEM/s400/Singing.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453904851491257026" border="0" /></a>I must admit it is quite nice living with my parents. They are the greatest grandparents EVER! My mom is always doing fun things with the kids - crafts, reading, puzzles, music... not to mention the fact that my parents love to cook for us! Oh ya, the cleaning/laundry fairy resides here too!!! We are SO lucky!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S7AsPSIEZeI/AAAAAAAABlw/hSQ_s7UIQv8/s1600/100_5645.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S7AsPSIEZeI/AAAAAAAABlw/hSQ_s7UIQv8/s400/100_5645.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453907789821011426" border="0" /></a>I LOVE MY PARENTS!</div>Emily Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01818400926841572377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31422724.post-57315489420642125642009-12-18T09:06:00.000-07:002010-02-10T13:07:14.252-07:00Moving Sucks...Last weekend, Joe helped move the big furniture down to the 2 front rooms - to make it easier to load the truck on Saturday. However, seeing as he is gone all week, that left me to bring everything else down to the "staging area" so it is ready to go Saturday morning. Aaron has been a great help - carrying down boxes and dressers... What a cute/sweet hard worker we have in our 8 year old! Anyways, this is 85% of all my belongings.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">This is the staging area:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S3MPOb9OQ8I/AAAAAAAABhI/_B5OOZqwqK8/s1600-h/100_5607.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S3MPOb9OQ8I/AAAAAAAABhI/_B5OOZqwqK8/s400/100_5607.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436705915863450562" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">This is the left over bit. I HATE this part. All the kitchen cabinets are cleaned out and empty. All the upstairs rooms have been cleaned out, wiped down, vacuumed, carpet clean, bathrooms clean etc. But this is where all that leaves me. Everything has been shoveled into the kitchen. All the annoying miscellaneous items are looking for a box. I am tired. I am burnt out. Joe is coming home tonight and will see this:<br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S3MPN-cDqKI/AAAAAAAABhA/13SXW3_3hAE/s1600-h/100_5616.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S3MPN-cDqKI/AAAAAAAABhA/13SXW3_3hAE/s400/100_5616.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436705907939715234" border="0" /></a>Yuck. Moving sucks.</div>Emily Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01818400926841572377noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31422724.post-53764944847946684472009-12-11T08:21:00.000-07:002010-02-10T09:03:48.397-07:00Cowboy Christmas Party!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S3LX63fDR_I/AAAAAAAABg4/ZjoObVJrrDU/s1600-h/100_5592.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S3LX63fDR_I/AAAAAAAABg4/ZjoObVJrrDU/s400/100_5592.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436645106516183026" border="0" /></a>So, my "calling" is activities chair for the ward (on top of being in the organ rotation and choir pianist).<br />The Halloween party was cake - just have people show up in costumes in a parking lot with candy... No biggie that I was the only person on activities duty.<br /><br />The Christmas party was another story. Luckily, they called a helper - heck, I WAS TRYING TO MOVE!!<br />The Romneys seriously were the AWESOMEST! Kimball was my assistant, and we kind of talked about a few ideas... We both wanted to keep it REALLY simple. Then he said - "hey, you have a lot of stuff going on - my wife and I will take care of it!" PHEW!!! OK!<br />He and his wife Angela (who is AWESOME) came up with the entire plan, handed out assignments to all the auxiliaries, and I seriously just sat back and watched it all come together! The Romneys and I went early to set up and "decorate", I brought a few awards, and of course I brought some chilli for the cookoff... but beyond that, it was really no sweat off my back.<br />It was a Cowboy Christmas party! To us, it meant no need to bring in tons of Christmas decorations - low key - chilli, simple tables (simple like red or green plastic table cloths with a boot or hat on top), country music and call it good! For everyone else, it meant dress up like a cowboy, go to the rooms we assigned out to the different auxilleries, and then join up in the gym for a sing-a-long and dinner. The Relief Society brought Santa, the Primary did reindeer games, the YM did letters to santa and the troops, and the YW did cookie decorating.<br />The kids had a BLAST!! Joe, was still out of town and missed it :(<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S3LX6tGWtoI/AAAAAAAABgw/wb6q3WmaLvQ/s1600-h/100_5586.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S3LX6tGWtoI/AAAAAAAABgw/wb6q3WmaLvQ/s400/100_5586.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436645103728244354" border="0" /></a>Just give me my candy cane Santa! ;)<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S3LX6GSa75I/AAAAAAAABgo/WDvDldQY5IU/s1600-h/100_5589.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S3LX6GSa75I/AAAAAAAABgo/WDvDldQY5IU/s400/100_5589.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436645093309869970" border="0" /></a>Um... I want....<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S3LX5w5czFI/AAAAAAAABgg/jY5xgnVKKkk/s1600-h/100_5584.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S3LX5w5czFI/AAAAAAAABgg/jY5xgnVKKkk/s400/100_5584.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436645087567989842" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S3LX5YLKtDI/AAAAAAAABgY/8cM1GKqUIKI/s1600-h/100_5581.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S3LX5YLKtDI/AAAAAAAABgY/8cM1GKqUIKI/s400/100_5581.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436645080931415090" border="0" /></a>The train the RS brought was a HIT with this guy... he would have been happy to watch that thing all night!Emily Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01818400926841572377noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31422724.post-26642279195916492152009-12-10T06:44:00.000-07:002010-02-10T09:05:32.628-07:00A night on the townJoe's first week at his new job was training here in Dallas.<br /><div style="text-align: left;">But now he is gone - hangin' out bachelor style in Utah.<br />I decided the kids and I needed a fun night out to celebrate - oops I mean commiserate ;).<br /><br />We went to Coldstone and then to the Frisco Town Square Christmas lights. I think we will be driving through many more times this season. The lights were so fun! They are all synchronized to music and I must say it is pretty neat!<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S3K6DFNMESI/AAAAAAAABfg/cHwgHbEeiKI/s1600-h/100_5514.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S3K6DFNMESI/AAAAAAAABfg/cHwgHbEeiKI/s400/100_5514.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436612262289477922" border="0" /></a>I need chocolate!! I ditched the kiddos earlier in the week for an 18 hr trip up to UT for the design center... so I just wanted to spoil the kids for a night... maybe ice cream was motivated a little from guilt.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S3K6Cw07NVI/AAAAAAAABfY/bpIr5Qh_A1o/s1600-h/100_5517.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S3K6Cw07NVI/AAAAAAAABfY/bpIr5Qh_A1o/s400/100_5517.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436612256819000658" border="0" /></a>I don't know why I can't seem to take a picture right!<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S3K6CTevYbI/AAAAAAAABfQ/EAEfWa4ALPM/s1600-h/100_5518.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S3K6CTevYbI/AAAAAAAABfQ/EAEfWa4ALPM/s400/100_5518.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436612248941322674" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S3K6CDrWPnI/AAAAAAAABfI/6mmVJ9ne-rQ/s1600-h/100_5524.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S3K6CDrWPnI/AAAAAAAABfI/6mmVJ9ne-rQ/s400/100_5524.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436612244699233906" border="0" /></a>Emily Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01818400926841572377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31422724.post-88366312145964174222009-12-08T06:56:00.000-07:002010-02-10T07:15:18.814-07:00What will soon beWe are lucky to be under contract to sell our house.<br />It also means we will soon be homeless.<br />We decided we would buy that one house we loved in Lehi... which means we get to pick everything out!... which means the house wont be completed until FOREVER AWAY!!!<br />I made a quick trip up to meet Joe at the design center (so we could choose the stuff for them to finish the house). Funny story - there was a blizzard there, and Lydia couldn't pick me up at the airport (she was snowed in). So, I called Maleah Atkin last minute and she did - THANKS MALEAH! She and I went to lunch really quick and then she dropped me off at the design center. Joe came a bit later (because he was working).<br />The design center was TORTURE! Well, it wasn't so bad, but after about 4 hours I felt like a child with ADHD. Here are our selections...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">This is what will soon be kitchen, bath, floor, carpet, shower, railing,etc...<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S3K-A65bjEI/AAAAAAAABfw/V31CYHaRkzE/s1600-h/100_5536.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S3K-A65bjEI/AAAAAAAABfw/V31CYHaRkzE/s400/100_5536.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436616623209024578" border="0" /></a>We were done at about 9pm, and quickly stopped at the store for some flashlights. Then, we went by the house.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Here is Joe in our future kitchen!<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S3K-AsATpxI/AAAAAAAABfo/YU6jR7EBULk/s1600-h/100_5567.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DYaExxP3nLo/S3K-AsATpxI/AAAAAAAABfo/YU6jR7EBULk/s400/100_5567.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436616619211335442" border="0" /></a><br />I am excited to find out how it will look. I am excited to have a nice new house! Hopefully it won't take too long!Emily Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01818400926841572377noreply@blogger.com0